Tinea Versicolor

Tinea Versicolor

by Amy Thorlin

Tinea versicolor is a superficial overgrowth of skin-surface yeast, or fungus called Pityrosporum Orbiculare. This overgrowth results in uneven skin color with occasional scaling. This naturally occurring yeast normally lives in the pores of everyone’s skin and likes fat (lipophilic), therefore, most often it is present on areas that have more oil glands. The condition occurs mainly on the shoulders, back and chest; however, it also can appear on the arms, legs and groin. In rare cases, the condition can appear on the face.

If the skin is oily enough, moist enough and warm enough, the fungus will grow on the surface of the skin and cause a noticeable rash. The spots are light or reddish brown or lighter than the surrounding skin. The spots will not tan.

The condition is more apparent in the summer months due to increased sun exposure; the affected areas may seem to disappear or become slightly darker in the winter as the surrounding skin becomes pale. The same is true from exposure to UV in a tanning unit. The areas with tinea versicolor won’t tan and become noticeable as lighter spots of untanned skin.

The darker the skin type or tan, the more noticeable the condition. Factors such as heat, humidity, sweat, tight-fitting clothes and chronic illness can predispose an individual to tinea versicolor, but these factors do not need to be present for someone to get the infection. Salon operators should inform clients that the condition is not contagious.

Although this condition may be unsightly and can cause itching, it is not a serious threat to one’s health. It is chronic and easily can recur. Although it can happen at any age, tinea versicolor is most common in adolescents and young adults.

The infection is treated with topical or oral medications. Non-prescription antifungal creams work well in less-severe cases, while prescription antifungal lotions and sprays may be more appropriate for tougher cases. A more economical and effective treatment may be a selenium shampoo, such as Selsun Blue. Typically, individuals suffering from the infection are advised to wash their bodies with the shampoo as if it were soap, leave it on a few minutes before rinsing, and repeat this process for a specified number of days. Oral medication may be prescribed for severe or recurrent cases.

Regardless of the treatment method, the infection may return. To reduce this likelihood, individuals often are instructed to re-treat once a week for three to four weeks and then once a month for three to four months. After treatment, all clothing and bedding should be laundered to help prevent recurrence.

Even after completion of successful treatment, the patches will remain visible until the untanned skin has a chance to catch up with the surrounding area through subsequent tanning sessions. This will take some time and it may be a good idea to recommend that the client use a self-tanner or bronzer to even out those areas.

If the condition is caught early and treated correctly, it won’t take as long to even out the skin’s coloring. It is important to note that the tanning salon operator should not diagnose a condition or prescribe a treatment method. It is best to recommend that clients see their physicians or pharmacists for advice.