Tinea Versicolor
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Definition/Description
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Pityriasis or tinea versicolor is a common chronic superficial fungal skin infection of the upper trunk, neck, and upper arms caused by the organism Mallassezia furfur. [1] [2]
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
It is frequently seen in tropical regions, with prevalence as high as 40%; it is also common in temperate areas, representing up to 3% of patients seen by dermatologists during the summer months. Children age 0-15 years had a 17.8% prevalence of pathogens of the genus Malassezia in the skin. The highest prevalence of colonisation was 23.3% in infants age 0-18 months and 26.7% in 11-15 year-olds.[3]
The species of Malassezia that are involved are Mglobosa (77%-90% of affected patients in Spain, 55% in Japan, 25% in Canada), M. sympodialis (32%-42% in Spain, 9% in Japan, 59% in Canada). and M. furfur (11% in Canada).[2]
US National Health Survey data from 1971-1974 showed a prevalence of 0.8% among people 1-74 years old in the United States.[1]
Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
Symptoms Include:
- Numerous spots and patches appear on the neck, upper back, and shoulder.
- The spots are covered by a fine scale.
- The spots vary in size.
- In summer, the spots are light and don't tan like the normal skin.
- In winter, as normal skin tone fades, the spots look darker than normal skin.[4]
"Patients with tinea versicolor usually have many irregularly shaped slightly scaling macules and patches, generally covering large areas of the body and seperated by skip regions of normal skin. The macules and patches are yellowish-brown, pale yellow, or dark-brown, occasionally reddish or pinkish, appearing hypopigmented or heyperpigmented."[3] Individual patches usually display a fine scale where the surface can appear to be smooth and shiny or dull.[3] "Affected areas include the chest, back, neck, and face; however, patches are usually most abundant on the back. Facial patches are more common in children than adults."[3]
"Patients usually present in the late spring or summer in temperate zones and may state that this is the rash they get every summer."[2]
Associated Co-morbidities[edit | edit source]
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Medications[edit | edit source]
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Diagnostic Tests/Lab Tests/Lab Values[edit | edit source]
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Causes[edit | edit source]
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Systemic Involvement[edit | edit source]
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Medical Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]
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Physical Therapy Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]
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Alternative/Holistic Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]
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Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
- pityriasis rosea
- vitiligo
- post-inflammatory hypo or hyperpigmentation
- hypopigmented mycosis fungoides
- erythrasma
- pityriasis alba
- seborrheic dermatitis[2]
Case Reports[edit | edit source]
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Resources
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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mellen LA, Vallee J, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB. Treatment of pityriasis versicolor in the United States. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. BMJ 2004; 15: 189-192. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=13559452&site=ehost-live (accessed 20 February, 2010).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Levin NA. Beyond Spahetti and Meatballs: Skin Diseases Associated with the Malassezia Yeasts. Dermatology Nursing. 2009; 21: 7-51. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=37193925&site=ehost-live (accessed 20 February, 2010).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Schwartz RA. Superficial fungal infections. The Lancet [serial online]. 2004;364:1173-82. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=706554151&Fmt=4&clientId=1870&RQT=309&VName=PQD (accessed 20 February, 2010).
- ↑ Schmitt BD. Tinea Versicolor. Health Source. Bantam Books. 2009:1. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hxh&AN=36251989&site=ehost-live (accessed 20 February, 2010).
