skin disorders
Tinea Versicolor
Introduction
Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection of the topmost layer of the skin that causes scaly, discolored patches. This infection is caused by a type of fungus. Typically, people have tan, brown, salmon, or white scaly patches of skin. The diagnosis is based on appearance and skin scrapings. Antifungal skin products, shampoos, and sometimes medications taken by mouth are used to treat the infection. Tinea versicolor infection often returns. (See also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections .) The infection is caused byMalassezia furfur.Malassezia furfuris a type of fungus that can exist as both a yeast and a mold.Yeastandmoldare terms that are used to describe what the fungus looks like under a microscope. Malassezia furfuris typically harmless and normally lives on the skin but in some people causes tinea versicolor. Most affected people are healthy. Some people may be genetically predisposed to overgrowth of this fungus. Other risk factors for tinea versicolor include heat and humidity and an immune system weakened by corticosteroid use, pregnancy, undernutrition, diabetes, or other disorders. Tinea versicolor is a mild infection and is not considered contagious. It is quite common, especially among young adults. 