Pityriasis Versicolor: what is it, symptoms and treatment

La pityriasis versicolor, also known as tiña versicolor, mycosis de playa or fungo de playa, is a disease of the skin caused by el hongo malassezia furfur, which produces a substance called azelaic acid that prevents the skin from producing melanin when exposed to the sun. This is because the skin regions that present the mushroom do not brown like the rest of the body, causing the appearance of small white spots.

This type of fungal infection is more common in countries that have warm and humid climates, being very common in Latin America in general. To treat pityriasis versicolor, the dermatologist should recommend the use of antifungal ointments in the affected region.

main symptoms

The most frequent signs and symptoms of versicolor stains are the presence of white or slightly yellow circular spots, these spots slowly increase in size and disappear after the summer.

In addition to this, skin scaling and skin scaling can also occur in the affected regions. These alterations can appear more frequently in the pecho, cuello, cuero cabelludo y brazos. Know other causes of white spots on the skin.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The dermatologist is able to identify the pityriasis versicolor only by observing the skin and the hairy skin. However, if the doctor considers it necessary, he could confirm the diagnosis through the use of Wood’s lamp, from which a dark light is placed on the skin that makes the sites affected by the mushroom shine.

Treatment of pityriasis versicolor

The treatment for pityriasis versicolor is carried out with the use of antifungal ointments such as Econazole, Ketoconazole and Terbinafine. For the general, the doctor indicates the placement of these ointments during the night for a period that varies between 3 to 21 days. See which ones are the wrong medicines used.

In more persistent cases, in which the spots improve with the use of ointments, the doctor could prescribe the use of oral antifungals, such as Itraconazole or Fluconazole, for example, which act at a systemic level, helping to eliminate fungi effectively.

In the people who are very tanned and it is possible to cure the hongo, however, the spots will continue to be present because the skin did not get tanned in the regions where it was found. In these cases, the only way to prove that the mushroom has disappeared is to carry out an examination with the lamp of Wood.

Possible causes of pityriasis versicolor

La Pitiriasis Versicolor is caused by the development of the mushroom malassezia furfur en la skin, being able to appear in any persona. However, this fungus is more likely to develop in cases where there is excessive heat in the environment and in individuals with more greasy skin, which sudan much and have a greater genetic predisposition.

In addition to this, people with a weak immune system such as children, older people or with autoimmune diseases such as HIV, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, are also more likely to have this skin infection.