Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation

Yes No

Leave this Site?

The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site.

Continue Cancel
honeypot link
Merck Manual
Consumer Version
The trusted provider of medical information since 1899
Health Topics & Chapters
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Home /
Quick Facts: Skin Disorders /
Fungal Skin Infections /
... /
Tinea Versicolor /
IN THIS TOPIC

What is tinea versicolor?

What causes tinea versicolor?

What are the symptoms of tinea versicolor?

How can doctors tell if I have tinea versicolor?

How do doctors treat tinea versicolor?

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Fungal Skin Infections
Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)
Tinea Versicolor
Overview of Ringworm (Tinea)
Athlete's Foot
Body Ringworm
Jock Itch
Scalp Ringworm

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Test your knowledge

Orbital Cellulitis
Which form of treatment may be necessary for orbital cellulitis but not for preseptal cellulitis? 
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

More Content

Quick Facts

Tinea Versicolor

(Pityriasis Versicolor)

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Last full review/revision Nov 2020| Content last modified Nov 2020
Click here for the Professional Version
Get the full details
Topic Resources

What is 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

What causes tinea versicolor?

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:

What are the symptoms of tinea versicolor?

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

How can doctors tell if I have tinea versicolor?

Doctors can tell by looking at the patches. To know for sure, they may use a 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.

How do doctors treat tinea versicolor?

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.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version
Click here for the Professional Version
© 2020 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA)
Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)
Overview of Ringworm (Tinea)
Others also read

Also of Interest

SOCIAL MEDIA

Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID
Download the Manuals App iOS ANDROID

Merck and the Merck Manuals

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Merck Manual was first published in 1899 as a service to the community. The legacy of this great resource continues as the Merck Manual in the US and Canada and the MSD Manual outside of North America. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge.

View Privacy Shield Verification Status
View APEC CBPR Privacy Certification Status

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

© 2021 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
TOP