Tinea Versicolor
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Overview
It may be a surprise to know that we all have yeast on our skin. However, when this yeast grows out of control, it can develop into a skin disease known as tinea versicolor. Although tinea versicolor is not contagious or harmful to the body, many people are concerned by its appearance and the changes it can make to the skin.
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What is tinea versicolor?
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What causes tinea versicolor?
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What treatments are effective for tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor is a discoloration of the skin which occurs from the overgrowth of a particular form of yeast, Malassezia furfur. This common skin disease is characterized by spots on the skin that either appear darker or lighter than the surrounding skin. These spots can be usually lighter than the surrounding skin, in shades of white, pink, salmon, red, tan, or brown. The spots can appear anywhere on the body, and they may be dry, scaly, and itchy. As the skin tans, the spots become more noticeable because the yeast prevents the spots from tanning. Many times, the spots from tinea versicolor are so faint that people do not even realize they have it. “There are new treatment regimens that lead to complete improvement in tinea versicolor, but it is important to treat it early before it gets out of control.”
