dermatologic disorders
Tinea Versicolor
Introduction
Tinea versicolor is skin infection withMalassezia furfurthat manifests as multiple asymptomatic scaly patches varying in color from white to tan to brown to pink. Diagnosis is based on clinical appearance and potassium hydroxide wet mount of skin scrapings. Treatment is with topical or sometimes oral antifungals. Recurrence is common. Malassezia furfuris a fungus that can exist as both a yeast and as a mold (a dimorphic fungus). It is normally a harmless component of normal skin flora but in some people causes tinea versicolor. Most affected people are healthy. Factors that may predispose to tinea versicolor include heat and humidity and immunosuppression due to corticosteroids, pregnancy, undernutrition, diabetes, or other disorders. Hypopigmentation in tinea versicolor is due to the inhibition of tyrosinase caused byM. furfurproduction ofazelaic acid. 