Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a mild yeast infection of the skin. Yeasts are a type of fungus.

• Tinea versicolor causes scaly patches on your skin that are tan, brown, pink, or white

• Tinea versicolor is harmless and doesn't spread from person to person

• Doctors treat tinea versicolor with skin products, shampoos, and sometimes medicine

• The infection often comes back after treatment

Tinea versicolor is caused by a yeast infection. It's different from the yeast infection called candidiasis (thrush).

You're more likely to get tinea versicolor if you:

• Are a young adult

• Are in a hot, humid place

• Have a weak immune system

Tinea versicolor usually causes scaly patches of skin that are tan, brown, pink, or white. The patches don't tan, so they may become more obvious in the summer.

The patches are usually on your:

• Chest

• Back

• Neck

• Belly

• Sometimes, face

Mifano ya Tinea Versicolor

Tinea Versicolor Mgongoni (1)

This photo shows lighter patches of skin caused by tinea versicolor.

This photo shows lighter patches of skin caused by tinea versicolor.

Image courtesy of Karen McKoy, MD.

Tinea Versicolor Mgongoni (2)

This photo shows multiple pink, scaly patches on the back. These patches are typical of tinea versicolor.

This photo shows multiple pink, scaly patches on the back. These patches are typical of tinea versicolor.

Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD.

Madoa ya Hudhurungi ya Tinea Vasikola

This photo shows a tan patch on the chest that is typical of tinea versicolor.

This photo shows a tan patch on the chest that is typical of tinea versicolor.

© Springer Science+Business Media

Madoa ya Kahawia ya Tinea Versicolor kwenye Shingo

© Springer Science+Business Media

Tinea Versicolor

In this photo, the light areas on the face and neck are caused by tinea versicolor.

In this photo, the light areas on the face and neck are caused by tinea versicolor.

Image courtesy of Karen McKoy, MD.

Tinea Versicolor Mgongoni (1)

This photo shows lighter patches of skin caused by tinea versicolor.

This photo shows lighter patches of skin caused by tinea versicolor.

Image courtesy of Karen McKoy, MD.

Tinea Versicolor Mgongoni (2)

This photo shows multiple pink, scaly patches on the back. These patches are typical of tinea versicolor.

This photo shows multiple pink, scaly patches on the back. These patches are typical of tinea versicolor.

Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD.

Madoa ya Hudhurungi ya Tinea Vasikola

This photo shows a tan patch on the chest that is typical of tinea versicolor.

This photo shows a tan patch on the chest that is typical of tinea versicolor.

© Springer Science+Business Media

Madoa ya Kahawia ya Tinea Versicolor kwenye Shingo

© Springer Science+Business Media

Tinea Versicolor

In this photo, the light areas on the face and neck are caused by tinea versicolor.

In this photo, the light areas on the face and neck are caused by tinea versicolor.

Image courtesy of Karen McKoy, MD.

Doctors can tell by looking at the patches. To know for sure, they may use an ultraviolet (UV) light to look at your skin. Tinea glows under UV light and other rashes don't. Doctors sometimes take small scrapings from your skin to look at under a microscope.

Doctors may treat tinea versicolor with:

• Antifungal cream to put on your patches

• Special shampoo, if you have patches on your scalp

• Medicine by mouth, if you have patches all over your body or get tinea versicolor often

Your skin may not go back to its normal color for months or years after treatment.

The infection often comes back after treatment. To keep it from coming back, doctors may have you use special soap or apply antifungal cream once a month.