Home /

Quick Facts: Skin Disorders /

Fungal Skin Infections /

... /

Tinea Versicolor /

What are the symptoms of tinea versicolor?

How can doctors tell if I have tinea versicolor?

How do doctors treat tinea versicolor?

Fungal Skin Infections

Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

Tinea Versicolor

Overview of Ringworm (Tinea)

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Imaging tests are important diagnostic tools, but imaging tests that use radiation have certain risks. The more radiation a person has been exposed to over his or her lifetime, the greater the risk of cancer and possibly tissue damage. Which of the following imaging tests exposes the recipient to the largest amount of radiation?

Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Ultrasonography
X-rays

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

Tinea Versicolor on the Back

Tan Patch of 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

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.

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

Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

Was This Page Helpful?

Overview of Ringworm (Tinea)

Fungal Skin Infections

Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

Tinea Versicolor

Overview of Ringworm (Tinea)

Tinea Versicolor

Overview of Fungal Skin Infections

Vaginal Discharge

Imaging tests are important diagnostic tools, but imaging tests that use radiation have certain risks. The more radiation a person has been exposed to over his or her lifetime, the greater the risk of cancer and possibly tissue damage. Which of the following imaging tests exposes the recipient to the largest amount of radiation?

Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Ultrasonography
X-rays

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.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

TOP

What is tinea versicolor?

What causes tinea versicolor?

What are the symptoms of tinea versicolor?