What Is Tinea Versicolor Infection
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Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection that affects the skin. The fungus disrupts the skins pigmentation which results in small, discolored patches. The fungus called Malassezia is a type of yeast that is found on the surface of the skin. Malassezia helps in protecting your skin from infections and harmful diseases.They have a symbiotic relationship with the skin cells and support them. There are times when the yeast growth can go out of control and cause damage to your skins color and its pigmentation. This can cause the development of patches that can be lighter or darker than your natural skin color.The patches are mostly found on the trunk, back and arms of a person affected by tinea versicolor. It occurs mostly in teens and young adults and can be more visible under sun exposure. Though this infection is not contagious or painful, it can suppress your immune system and cause emotional distress.
White Spots On Skin Fungus
Fungal infection or yeast attack on the surface of the skin can result in creamy patches or spots. Tinea versicolor is an example of yeast infection that is characterized by dry or scaly itchy skin with white patches or dots.
Athletes foot is also a fungal infection that can affect the lower feet and lead to either white or red spots. Ringworms are large patches of yeast infection that commonly appear on the scalp on young children. These marks can also show up on other parts of your body.
Generally, the growth of fungus on the skin is encouraged by the wet environment, poor body hygiene, use of oily cosmetic products and weakened body immune system.
When To See A Doctor Over White Spots On Skin
It is advisable to see your doctor over white spots on your skin if you noticed the following conditions:
- When white spots or patches have persisted on your skin for more than three weeks
- When the white spots on your skin are too painful and cause a discomfort
- If white spots are becoming a threat to your beauty
- If your infant, toddler or young child develop white marks on the skin
- When white spots has a characteristic of hard painless bump
The sudden appearance of white spots on your skin can be a sign of a serious health condition that can make your skin less attractive. It is important to go for medical treatment in case you noticed any strange white marks on your skin.
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Green Toenail Fungus Vs Green Nail Syndrome
There are several species of fungi that cause toenail fungal infections. However, each kind causes similar symptoms. These include:
- Yellow or brown discoloration
- The nail crumbling away and becoming misshapen
- Onycholysis, i.e., where the nail lifts away from the nail bed
- A fungal smell, similar to cheese
Green nail syndrome is caused by a bacterial infection, not fungus. Symptoms include:
- Yellow-green discoloration, ranging to greenish-black if severe
- Onychodystrophy, i.e., the nail becoming misshapen
- The nail lifting away from the nail bed
- A smell similar to sugary fruit, grape juice, or tortillas
The symptoms for green nail syndrome are quite similar to toenail fungus. Lets take a look at each in depth, to help you figure out which condition you have.
What Is The Prognosis For People With Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor is not a harmful infection and only affects the top layer of the skin. People often have more than one episode of tinea versicolor. Because the yeast grows naturally on the skin, it can recur . Using medicated soap a couple of times each week or month can reduce recurrences of tinea versicolor.
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Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Daily
Vitiligo is suspected to have autoimmune antecedents. And like many autoimmune problems, it can benefit from having a healthy gut. Apple cider vinegar , made by fermentation of apple cider, works in a manner similar to probiotics that increase the abundance of good bacteria in your gut. It helps break down and digest food better, too.
Dont buy the refined varied of apple cider vinegar. Buy the one with a cloudy film known as the mother. Or make apple cider vinegar at home.
Take it about half an hour before you eat. Simply sip on a third of a teaspoon of ACV without swallowing. Slosh it around in your mouth for 60 seconds and swallow.4
Lifestyle Tips For Managing Tinea Versicolor
Episodes are very common because the yeast that causes the infection is a normal fungus that lives on your skin. You might use medicated cleansers once a week for 10 minutes at a time for a few months to help prevent tinea versicolor from coming back. You may need to use these cleansers if the infection keeps returning, especially if you live in a warm and humid area.
To help you manage tinea versicolor you can:
- Avoid using oily skin products.
- Reduce the time you spend in the sun. It may trigger or worsen an episode, and a tan makes the rash more visible.
- Use an anti-fungal shampoo daily for a couple of days prior to sun exposure if you do have to go out.
- Put on sunscreen every day. Use a broad spectrum, nongreasy formula with a minimum sun protection factor of 30.
- Try a dandruff shampoo with selenium sulfide.
- Wear loose clothing.
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Home Remedies And Lifestyle Tips
Tinea versicolor can be prevented and managed with some simple home remedies and lifestyle changes. Keeping the skin clean and oil-free is the most important thing that can be done to keep a tinea versicolor infection from occurring.
Over-the-counter lotions and creams can help both prevent and treat mild flare-ups. Some example products include:
- Clotrimazole cream or lotion
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Pityriasis Versicolor Or Vitiligo
Pityriasis versicolor can sometimes be confused with vitiligo, as they both cause the skin to become discoloured in patches.
But there are ways to tell the difference:
- vitiligo often develops on both sides of your body at the same time, whereas pityriasis versicolor may not
- skin affected by vitiligo usually has a normal texture, whereas areas affected by pityriasis versicolor are usually slightly scaly or flaky
- vitiligo is more common around the mouth, eyes, fingers, wrists, armpits and groin, whereas pityriasis versicolor tends to develop on the back, chest, upper arms, neck and tummy
Page last reviewed: 12 July 2018 Next review due: 12 July 2021
Why Does Skin Discoloration Develop
Most skin discoloration develops when your skin produces extra melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its natural color.
Melanin is produced by melanocytes, special skin cells that are located in the base layer of your epidermis. As a protective pigment, melanin plays an important role in protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
When your skin is exposed to UV radiation from direct sunlight, your melanocytes produce more melanin and your skin becomes darker.
Most forms of skin discoloration develop when certain areas of your skin produce more melanin than others.
For example, age spots develop when melanin is produced in high concentrations by small clusters of cells. This can result in small spots on your skin with a darker color than the surrounding skin.
Similarly, experts believe that melasma — a skin pigmentation disorder that causes larger areas of discolored skin — occurs when melanocytes in some parts of your skin produce an excessive amount of color.
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How Is Tinea Versicolor Diagnosed
Doctors can diagnose tinea versicolor with simple skin tests. In one type of test, your doctor scrapes off some loose skin cells he or she believes are infected with tinea versicolor. This skin sample is examined under a microscope for the presence of yeast cells.
Your doctor may also examine your skin using a Wood lamp. This device uses ultraviolet light to illuminate your skin. Areas of skin where tinea versicolor is present look yellow-green under the UV light.
How To Prevent It
There are a few things you can do to prevent tinea versicolor. For starters, wear loose-fitting clothing: tight clothes create a breeding ground for yeast, so stick to breathable fabrics, says Dr. Katta. You should also shower immediately after your workout to prevent a sticky, warm space for yeast to grow.
Try to stay out of the sun, but if you must be out in the sun, use sunscreen. “Protect your skin from sunlight, since it makes tinea versicolor more noticeable,” says Daveluy. And always keep an anti-fungal shampoo or cream on hand.
“To help prevent the disease from returning, I ask my patients to use their anti-fungal shampoo or cream once or twice a month, especially in the warm months,” says Daveluy.
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Genetic Factors Birthmarks And Macules
According to the study of genetic and inheritance, some recessive genes can cause white birthmarks or macule on the skin. For example, albinism is a genetic disorder that results to lack skin pigment. The intermediate traits between albinism and normal skin color might result to white patches on your skin.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Pityriasis Versicolor
Pityriasis versicolor skin patches usually are on the torso and upper arms. But they can also appear on the face and neck, especially in young kids. The patches can be white, brown, red, or pink.
The patches are dry, flaky, or scaly, and can be flat or slightly raised. They may be a little itchy but often aren’t felt at all. They can start off small and round, then join together to make much larger patches.
The yeast prevents the skin from tanning, so the patches can look lighter than the surrounding skin, especially in the summer. A person might be bothered by their appearance or not even notice them.
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Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis And Sun Damage
White spots on skin can be the consequence of having a skin condition known as Idiopathic guttatehypomelanosis. The condition result in white patches that can appear on the face, the upper part of the back, on shins and arms.
Sun exposure is the main causal agent of this condition. Harmful UV rays from the sun can kill or affects melanocyte to stop producing skin pigment which can result in skin discoloration. The acute effect of sunlight can result in temporal damage of the skin that can restore to normal after some period of time.
In addition, sun exposure might also cause chronic damage on the skin such as age spots, freckles, Melasma, actinic keratosis, and eye problems.it is advisable to use sunscreen to protect your skin against harmful effect of UV light.
How Does It Even Happen
We can contract ringworm infection on our eyelid in the same way we get it on other bodily areas. Its extremely contagious, which is what makes it so easy to spread. With that in mind, skin-to-skin contact such as butterfly kisses with eyelashes can transmit fungal eyelid infections. Although not skin to skin, sharing things such as eye masks and pillowcases can cause it, as the culprits behind the infection can live on those objects for a long time.
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Causes And Risk Factors
In tinea versicolor, a fungus that lives on healthy skin grows too quickly and causes the discolored patches of skin.
This overgrowth can be triggered by a combination of environmental and biological factors. These factors include the following:
- Oily skin
- Living in a hot, humid climate
- A weakened immune system
- Hormonal fluctuations
Teenagers often experience hormonal fluctuations, so teens may be more at risk of developing tinea versicolor. However, this infection can happen to people of all ages, ethnicities, and genders.
Tinea versicolor is not dangerous. However, anyone who develops a persistent skin rash should check with a doctor to rule out other more serious conditions.
Diagnosing tinea versicolor is often very straightforward. A doctor can diagnose it simply by looking at it.
If an adequate determination cannot be made with a simple exam, the dermatologist may try either scraping off a bit of infected skin to examine under a microscope or looking at the skin under a special lamp known as a Woods lamp.
When a dermatologist suspects tinea versicolor and examines the skin under a Woods lamp, they are looking for a distinct greenish skin color. It is this greenish color that confirms the infection.
A patient with diagnosed tinea versicolor should also check with a doctor if any of the following occur:
- Over-the-counter and self-care measures do not help the rash
- The rash spreads and covers a large area of the body
- The infection recurs
Nibble On Neem Leaves Or Apply Neem Oil
Like turmeric, neem is also a good antifungal and antibacterial agent that can work against fungal white spots. It has also been used to treat vitiligo. In one study, 4 g neem leaves were given to test subjects thrice a day, before mealtimes. This regimen was followed by people with vitiligo for a year. A herbal cream with neem was also used, though other research indicates that neem leaves can work perfectly fine on their own.
Eating neem leaves and applying neem oil on the white patches help, but complete healing might take a year. Be patient.
In just 90 days, 25% of the patients said they had complete relief from vitiligo symptoms. With no side effects, this may be a remedy worth trying. Applying neem oil on the patches may also help with reducing any inflammation and treating the discoloration whether due to vitiligo or an infection.3
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Who Is Most At Risk For Getting Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor affects many people worldwide. People living in tropical or subtropical regions are most at risk. It is common during summer months in temperate climates and around puberty when the oil glands of the skin are more active.
You may be at higher risk if your immune system does not function properly. This may occur if you take medications like corticosteroids, have had an organ transplant, or have medical conditions like diabetes. Pregnant women are more susceptible to tinea versicolor.
How To Cure A Skin Fungal Infection
Fungi are microorganisms that live in different places, including the human body. They can appear for different reasons and cause different symptoms such as skin irritation and redness that can lead to infections. These infections are usually found in moist areas of our body, since these are the areas where more fungi can be found. An infection can be caused by a weak immune system or from suffering from an illness, although in most cases we contract it due to contact with various factors. Fungal infections can appear on different parts of our skin and body as well as for example our nails and scalp.
These infections produce itching and discomfort, and it’s important to treat them well. In this article we explain how to cure a skin fungal infection.
Before starting, we must understand the reasons why a fungal infection can occur in our body. Causes of a fungal infection:
- First, it is essential to have good personal hygiene, as it is one of the main causes of fungal infections.
- A poor diet that leads to an immune system deficiency.
- Contact with people who have a fungal infection. Fungal infections are contagious and among humans they are mostly spread through sexual intercourse.
- Antibiotics. Antibiotics and other medicines can increase our chances of developing fungal infections by weakening our immune system.
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What Is Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection that causes small patches of discolored spots on your skin. It’s also called pityriasis versicolor. It results from a type of yeast that naturally lives on your skin. When the yeast grows out of control, the skin disease, which appears as a rash, is the result.
How To Treat Green Nails
Its important to understand that this infection, although unsightly, is not really cause for any concern. Nevertheless, you have several options to treat the nail:
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Prevention Of Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor can return after treatment. To reduce the chances of a recurrence, your doctor may recommend using a topical or oral treatment once a month or more often.
Some doctors also suggest using a medicated cleanser once or twice a month especially if you live in a warm, humid location to prevent the yeast from growing excessively again.