What is the reason for the appearance of spots on the skin with multi-colored lichen?

In young people aged 18-23, reddish spots can often be found on the skin of the body. This is a multi-colored lichen. Pityriasis versicolor is ubiquitous. 10% of the population is affected by this type of lichen. The disease is considered non-contagious.

The urgency of the problem lies in the fact that versicolor affects only young people, it is a cosmetic and aesthetic defect, causes many complexes in young people. What causes versicolor versicolor? Who is prone to defeat deprive? What processes underlie skin depigmentation?

Causes of tinea versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor is a non-inflammatory skin lesion that develops as a result of a fungal infection of the skin. Pityriasis versicolor is caused by different types of fungus of the genus Malassezia. About 90% of the total population are carriers of this kind of fungus. If a person has a fungus of the genus Malassezia, the highest density of colonization is observed in areas of the skin where a large number of sebaceous glands are located. This is the area of ​​the scalp, near the ears, on the chest, back, on the face and in the genital area. The axillary, inguinal regions, forearms and lower legs are less often involved in the process. Nails and hair are not affected. Because of the typical manifestation of multi-colored lichen, it is often called pityriasis versicolor, because the affected areas of the skin are flaky and look like bran.

Manifestations and clinical picture of pityriasis versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor is characterized by a long-term relapsing course. The manifestation of multi-colored lichen begins with the appearance of small spots that have clearly defined edges. Pityriasis versicolor can also begin with papules, the edges of which are slightly raised above the surface of the skin. The color of these elements is different and varies from pale pink to brown in different shades. When the fungus reproduces in the dermis, it produces azelaic acid, which disrupts the production of melanin from melanocytes. Therefore, the color of the spots is different from the skin. More often this color is "coffee with milk". The spots tend to coalesce to form large skin lesions that have scalloped edges. On the surface of these spots, a bran-like peeling often appears, which intensifies when scraping over the spot. The color of the spots is always different from the color of the human skin. So, in people with fair skin, the lesions look darker against the background of healthy skin, in tanned and swarthy people they are lighter and depigmented (pseudo-leucoderma). An interesting fact is that in the same patient the spots can be both hypo- and hyperpigmented at the same time. The color of the spots in pityriasis versicolor depends on exposure to ultraviolet radiation and does not change after sunburn. These changes on the skin are not accompanied by discomfort on the part of the patient.

that in the same patient, spots can be both hypo- and hyperpigmented at the same time. The color of the spots in pityriasis versicolor depends on exposure to ultraviolet radiation and does not change after sunburn. These changes on the skin are not accompanied by discomfort on the part of the patient.

that in the same patient, spots can be both hypo- and hyperpigmented at the same time. The color of the spots in pityriasis versicolor depends on exposure to ultraviolet radiation and does not change after sunburn. These changes on the skin are not accompanied by discomfort on the part of the patient.

Diagnostics and approaches to treatment of versicolor

The diagnosis of versicolor is established without difficulty on the basis of characteristic patches on the skin. With erased flow forms, the examination is carried out under a Wood's fluorescent lamp, which has a brown or yellow glow. Also, the fungus can be detected by microscopic examination and auxiliary methods: Balzer's iodine test and Besnier's symptom.

Treatment of versicolor versicolor in most cases is successful when only external medicines are used. For the treatment of spots on the scalp, shampoo with 2% ketoconazole is used. If there are several spots on the scalp, it is recommended to treat the entire head. Shampoo treatment should be used daily for 5 days.

If imidazole antimycotics are in the form of a cream, then they are used 2 times a day. The use of modern antifungal aerosols is effective for multi-colored lichen.

The course of multi-colored lichen is characterized by frequent relapses after treatment. So, a year after successful treatment, a relapse is noted in every second patient, and for 2 years - in almost all. Therefore, in order to avoid frequent relapses during treatment, it is recommended to treat large skin surfaces with probable localization of spots and extend the course of treatment with antimycotics. With frequent relapses and atypical forms of multi-colored lichen, decide on the appointment of systemic treatment.

Measures to prevent frequent relapses of pityriasis versicolor

In order to prevent recurrence of pityriasis versicolor, it is necessary to treat with antifungal shampoo every month from March to May. Treatment should be carried out 3 days in a row for 5 minutes. Examination of relatives and identification of foci of skin lesions, as well as timely treatment, can delay relapses. During the treatment of pityriasis versicolor, it is necessary to decontaminate clothes and linen.

> In the hot season, it is recommended to wipe areas of the skin with excessive sweating with salicylic alcohol. People who suffer from pityriasis versicolor should avoid heavy physical exertion, high temperatures, heavy sweating, stress, as well as wearing synthetic underwear and maintain regular personal hygiene.