Pityriasis Versicolor Quiz
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Skin has moles or spots of different colors
Redness of the skin
My skin is dry
Red spots on skin
Black, blue, or brown spots on the skin or elsewhere
Skin peeling
Discolored macules or moles on skin/mucus membranes
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Pityriasis Versicolor?
This common fungal infection causes discolored patches, often on the chest, back, arms, and neck. It results from an overgrowth of a type of fungus found on skin. It mainly affects young adults and teens, especially in hot and humid climates.
Typical Symptoms of Pityriasis Versicolor
- Taking steroids
- Skin over the entire body is red
- Black/blue/brown spots or moles, on the skin and lining of the mouth
- Dry and flaky skin
- Heat rash
- White patches on the skin
- Itchy skin
- History of diabetes or pre-diabetes
Diagnostic Questions for Pityriasis Versicolor
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are you currently taking steroids?
- Is your whole body red?
- Are there black, blue, or brown spots on your skin? (Including moles)
- Do you have dry and flaky skin?
- Do you have a heat rash?
Treatment of Pityriasis Versicolor
Mild cases of pityriasis versicolor are treated with topical antifungal medications like creams and shampoos. More severe cases may be treated with oral antifungal medication.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Sep 4, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Increase in dandruff
- Moles or spots of different colors on skin or lining of the mouth
- Dry flaky skin
- Scaly skin
- Cracked skin
- Scaly skin that rubs off
- Desquamation
Symptoms Related to Pityriasis Versicolor
Diseases Related to Pityriasis Versicolor
FAQs
Q.
Embarrassed by Spots? Tinea Versicolor: Medical Next Steps to Clear Skin
A.
Tinea versicolor is a common, noncontagious yeast overgrowth that causes light or dark patches that do not tan; it is treatable and not dangerous, but normal skin color may take weeks to months to return after treatment. First-line care is topical antifungals such as selenium sulfide or ketoconazole used as a wash for 1 to 2 weeks, with oral options for widespread or recurrent cases under medical supervision, plus maintenance to prevent relapse and guidance on when to seek care; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete next steps and important details below.
References:
* Ren B, Ma L, Hu Q, Ding S. Tinea versicolor: a comprehensive review of diagnosis and treatment. J Fungi (Basel). 2024 Mar 8;10(3):209. doi: 10.3390/jof10030209. PMID: 38531580; PMCID: PMC10972410.
* Al-Zubaydi S, Al-Musawi AA, Al-Zobayde MM. Efficacy and Safety of Topical Treatments for Pityriasis Versicolor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2023 Feb 1;36(2):100-107. doi: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000889270.81934.3c. PMID: 36719114.
* Ranawaka RR, Ukuwela RS. Tinea versicolor: a review of current management. Mycoses. 2018 Jun;61(6):347-353. doi: 10.1111/myc.12759. Epub 2018 Mar 28. PMID: 29512140.
* Arenas R, Fernández G, Nora G. Pityriasis Versicolor: A Review. Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed). 2018 Dec;109(10):883-894. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2018.06.010. Epub 2018 Aug 31. PMID: 30177242.
* Ameen M, Gandhi B, Kumar B. A review of tinea versicolor and its treatment. Int J Dermatol. 2017 Aug;56(8):919-927. doi: 10.1111/ijd.13627. Epub 2017 Apr 26. PMID: 28444747.
Q.
Itchy Bumps? Why Your Skin Is Harboring Fungus + Medical Next Steps
A.
Itchy, uniform bumps on the chest, back, shoulders, or forehead that do not clear with typical acne treatments often point to Malassezia folliculitis, a yeast overgrowth that needs antifungals rather than acne meds. Next steps usually include antifungal topicals like ketoconazole or selenium sulfide, with a clinician considering short oral therapy if needed; seek care sooner if the rash spreads, itching is severe, you recently took antibiotics, or you have a weakened immune system. There are several factors to consider about triggers, look-alike conditions, and preventing recurrences; see the complete guidance below to choose the right next steps for your situation.
References:
* Gupta AK, Cooper EA, Ryder JE, Chaudhry M, Botros M. Superficial Fungal Infections. Clin Dermatol. 2020 Jul-Aug;38(4):460-471. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2020.04.004. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32768007.
* Ziemer M. Dermatophytosis: An Updated Comprehensive Review. J Fungi (Basel). 2023 Jul 19;9(7):760. doi: 10.3390/jof9070760. PMID: 37500599; PMCID: PMC10382583.
* Jabra-Rizk MA, Khan ZU. Cutaneous Candidiasis. Clin Dermatol. 2020 Jul-Aug;38(4):453-459. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2020.04.005. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32768006.
* Gaitanis G, Bassukas ID, Velegraki A. Pityriasis Versicolor. Clin Dermatol. 2017 Jul-Aug;35(4):347-351. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.03.007. PMID: 28760278.
* Naglik JR, Gaffen SL, Jaiswal N, Singh B, Gaur NA, Yadav M, et al. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis in Cutaneous Fungal Infections. J Fungi (Basel). 2020 Aug 17;6(3):144. doi: 10.3390/jof6030144. PMID: 32819077; PMCID: PMC7556755.
Q.
Ringworm? Why Your Skin is "Burning" in Circles—and the Fast Path to Relief
A.
A red, expanding circular rash that itches or burns is often ringworm, a common fungal infection that spreads by contact. Fast relief usually comes from early over the counter antifungal treatment such as clotrimazole or terbinafine, keeping skin clean and dry, and avoiding scratching; scalp infections or rashes that spread, ooze, or occur with fever, diabetes, or weak immunity need medical care and may require oral medication. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more.
References:
* Koks, C., et al. (2020). Dermatophytosis: an updated comprehensive review. *Mycopathologia*, *185*(2), 241-255. PubMed ID: 32200424.
* Kaur, T., et al. (2023). Therapeutic approaches for dermatophytosis: a review. *Mycoses*, *66*(9), 1-13. PubMed ID: 37497120.
* Gupta, A. K., et al. (2018). Practical Approaches to the Management of Dermatophytosis. *Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)*, *4*(4), 118. PubMed ID: 30419330.
* Hay, R., et al. (2019). Systemic antifungal therapy for superficial fungal infections: An evidence-based review. *Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology*, *80*(6), 1735-1743. PubMed ID: 31252037.
* Chang, J., et al. (2022). Tinea corporis: A review. *Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology*, *36*(10), 1718-1729. PubMed ID: 35850980.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Gupta AK, Lyons DC. Pityriasis versicolor: an update on pharmacological treatment options. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2014 Aug;15(12):1707-13. doi: 10.1517/14656566.2014.931373. Epub 2014 Jul 3. PMID: 24991691.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1517/14656566.2014.931373?cookieSet=1Thoma W, Krämer HJ, Mayser P. Pityriasis versicolor alba. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005 Mar;19(2):147-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.01085.x. PMID: 15752280.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.01085.xGupta AK, Bluhm R, Summerbell R. Pityriasis versicolor. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2002 Jan;16(1):19-33. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-3083.2002.00378.x. PMID: 11952286.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi?DOI=10.1046/j.1468-3083.2002.00378.xGupta AK, Batra R, Bluhm R, Faergemann J. Pityriasis versicolor. Dermatol Clin. 2003 Jul;21(3):413-29, v-vi. doi: 10.1016/s0733-8635(03)00039-1. PMID: 12956196.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733863503000391?via%3Dihub