Tinea versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor ( Tinea, also: Kleieflechte ) is a common fungal infection of the top layer of skin (epidermis). The causative agent of this dermal mycosis is Malassezia furfur (previously limited to: Pityrosporum orbiculare or Pityrosporum ovale). It involves Basidiomycota ( mushrooms or toadstools ). The fungus remains as yeast in the unicellular stage, so does not form fruiting bodies and mycelia of no. The disease is harmless and not contagious.

Malassezia yeasts are close to 100 % of the population to the normal skin flora. The reasons why they are in some people pathogenic ( diseased ) are not fully understood. However, it is observed that the enhanced dermal mycosis occurs in the summer months and in people with a tendency to profuse sweating. A compound having a high thyroid adopted.

It forms a fungal lawn that physically blocked light to a toxic inhibits melanin production to another. When the sun contact the affected skin tans much less than the surrounding parts, eliminating white spots ( macules ) arise. These can be lentil or develop into a map-like mottling of the skin.

The diagnosis is usually made as a visual diagnosis by dermatologists and can be confirmed by the scraping of skin scales and the assessment under the microscope. The fungal cells can be identified as grape-like ball pile. Important to anamnestic exclusion of other dermatomycoses is the only minor itching, which can be a bit stronger in heat. As a predilection perspiratory rich skin areas like the upper torso, neck, shoulder and lower leg of the patient apply.

The treatment is esp. externally by antifungals ( clotrimazole, econazole, bifonazole, sertaconazole, terbinafine or naftifine ), in serious cases, by systemic ( inner ) therapy with fluconazole, itraconazole, or ketoconazole (all prescription ). Versicolor In people with strong tendency to P. a high Rezidivität is observed. These patients can prevent with a special anti-fungal shampoo with selenium disulfide with the regular wash. The irregular and different pigmentation of the skin may persist for several months after successful treatment.