A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W

PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR - TINEA VERSICOLOR - LIVER SPOTS

What is Pityriasis Versicolor ?

Pityriasis versicolor is a surface infection of the skin produced by a fungus or mould. It can affect any part of the body but generally involves the trunk and arms. It starts as either pale or dark patches on the skin which range from the size of a pinhead to one centimetre across. The patches are flat but if scratched, become slightly scaly. They cause no symptoms. When the patches are pale they become more obvious after sun exposure. Normal skin tans, but the affected areas remain pale.

How does Pityriasis Versicolor occur ?

The fungus that causes pityriasis versicolor is called Malassezia furfur . It is not the same as the fungus that causes ringworm, and it is not infectious (it cannot be passed from one person to another). This fungus is normally present on the skin of everybody, but in a slightly different form. What makes it undergo the change in growth which causes the infection is not known. However, when this change occurs, the signs of pityriasis versicolor develop. The fungus is a fat-loving fungus. Therefore, it will grow in areas where the skin is particularly oily.

Why does Pityriasis Versicolor occur ?

Nobody knows what causes some people to get pityriasis versicolor. However, patients who are on steroid (cortisone-like) tablets or medicines that reduce the defence or immune response (such as drugs used for kidney transplants) are more prone to develop the condition.

Treatment Involved for Pityriasis Versicolor

The diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor is made by the doctor purely on the appearance of the rash. It can be confirmed by taking scrapings from the skin and examining them under a microscope, where the fungus can actually be seen. Once the diagnosis has been made, treatment is started with either creams, shampoos or tablets. Although the spots of pityriasis versicolor are fairly obvious, the fungus may be present in other areas of the skin where the disease has not yet caused changes. It is therefore important to treat a wide area around the visible rash to try to deal with any infection that is not yet obvious. Antifungal creams are effective in the treatment of this condition. Of particular value are the imidazole creams, including miconazole, clotrimazole and econazole. You will need to use these twice daily for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Treatment should be continued even after the obvious rash has disappeared. Selenium sulphide and ketoconazole shampoo are extremely effective treatment for pityriasis versicolor. This is partly because the whole body is treated and therefore any hidden infection is eradicated. The shampoo should be used in the bath or shower, and lathered all over the body to include the scalp. It is allowed to remain on the skin for about 5 minutes and is then rinsed off. This treatment should be used on a daily basis for about one week and then once a week for a further 6 weeks or so. This should clear the infection from your skin. In particularly severe cases, a short course of ketoconazole tablets, one a day for 2 weeks, will eradicate the infection.

During Treatment for Pityriasis Versicolor

With treatment, the scaliness of the patches will disappear. If the patches are dark, these will fade and should disappear completely by the end of treatment. Pale patches tend to persist for some months. These pale patches are due to the effect of the fungus on the pigment cells of the skin. These cells take quite a time to recover. Sun exposure will help to repigment the patches more quickly.

After Treatment for Pityriasis Versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor may recur after effective treatment. It is impossible to predict whether recurrence will occur and, if it does, when this will happen.

If Pityriasis Versicolor is Left Untreated

Pityriasis versicolor tends to be a chronic condition. If left untreated, it will not only persist but also possibly become more widespread.