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Pityriasis versicolor: What are those brown spots on the skin?
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Have you noticed light or dark spots on your skin? Then it could be pityriasis versicolor, a common fungal skin infection caused by yeast, often confused with skin spots and sun spots.
Read also: Types of pigment spots: white, brown and red spots on the skin
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© Getty Images/Pityriasis versicolor
Pityriasis versicolor is caused by the yeast Malassezia furfur. The condition is characterized by the appearance of fine, well-defined scaly patches of variable (multicolored) pigmentation, lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, especially on the trunk and shoulders.
Read also: Vitiligo: white pigment spots on the skin
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What are the symptoms of pityriasis versicolor?
Pityriasis versicolor
The spots do not turn brown, and if they are white, they are more noticeable in the summer. People with naturally dark skin may see light-colored spots and vice versa. Hyper- or hypopigmentation of the lesions can persist for several months and the risk of recurrence is high.
Read also: White spots on the skin: what are their types?
Is pityriasis versicolor dangerous?
Read also: What types of fungal infections should you be careful of?
What treatments exist?
© Getty Images / Pityriasis versicolor of the shoulder
All topical antifungal medications can be used to treat pityriasis versicolor. These include shampoos containing selenium sulfide or salicylic acid sulfate, soaps enriched with zinc pyrithione, and oral medications such as fluconazole.
To avoid new infections, doctors (general doctors and dermatologists) recommend strict hygiene and regular use of zinc pyrithione soap.
sources:
https://www.nhs.uk
https://dermnetnz.org
