Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a very common skin condition, especially in warm tropical climates, in which there is an overgrowth of the skin surface with yeast. This overgrowth results in uneven skin color or spots on the trunk and upper arms, that may be scaly to the touch. Essentially the yeast (fungus) grows slowly and prevents the skin from normal tanning. As the unaffected skin tans in the sun, the pale spots, which are affected by the yeast, become more noticeable, especially on darker skin. Some patients may experience mild inflammation and itching, while others report no symptoms.

Treatment

The treatment of this condition is often simple, including with antifungal medications – topical creams, shampoos, and even oral pills depending on the severity