Pityriasis versicolor is particularly troublesome for patients in the heat of summer, hence the name "sun fungus". The fungal causative agent of this skin disease begins to multiply especially actively in the epidermis with increased sweating, and the sun's rays falling on the skin leave depigmented areas on the affected areas of the fungus, which makes the skin look spotty, and the disease gets another popular name – multi-colored lichen. The disease is easily treated, but with unsystematic treatment it often recurs.
Pityriasis versicolor (or versicolor) is a chronic fungal infection. The fungus affects only the most superficial, stratum corneum of the epidermis, multiplies there and produces azelaic acid, which reduces the ability of skin melanocytes to synthesize pigment. Since it is melanin that is responsible for darkening and tanning the skin under the action of sunlight, the skin remains depigmented in areas affected by pityriasis versicolor. Because most people carry similar saprophyte fungi on their skin, tinea versicolor is not contagious. However, experts recommend that a person with pityriasis versicolor should have separate bedding and hygiene items and not share their clothes with anyone.
Pityriasis versicolor symptoms and triggers
The main sign of pityriasis versicolor – it is a scattering on the skin of small reddish-brown spots with clear boundaries. The shoulders, chest, neck, back, and sometimes the armpits are usually affected. After tanning, these spots are perfectly visible and seem lighter than the general skin tone, since the areas affected by the fungus do not darken in the sun. Sometimes the spots merge into large foci, the skin may peel off a little – the fungus loosens the stratum corneum, and bran-like scales appear, but there is no inflammation.
Pityriasis versicolor patches may be accompanied by excessive sweating and itching. It is assumed that one of the important factors in the development of the disease may be the genetically determined chemical composition of sweat, which provokes the activation of the fungus during heavy sweating.
The following factors become provoking for pityriasis versicolor:
- solar radiation;
- impaired skin barrier functions;
- high blood sugar;
- long-term treatment with corticosteroids;
- decreased immunity.
Pityriasis versicolor can accompany endocrine disorders, manifest itself in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and become more active in immunodeficiency.
Pityriasis versicolor treatment and prevention
Pityriasis versicolor is treated topically and consists of applying antifungal drugs to the skin. An effective technique is the application of nizoral-type therapeutic shampoo to the skin, after several applications – taking a triazole drug (for example, fluconazole) in capsules in parallel with the treatment of the body with nizoral. The essence of the technique is that external agents are not able to cope with the fungus in the hair follicles and sweat glands, and fluconazole acts from the inside.
In severe cases, systemic antimycotics are indicated. Cycloserine may be effective in dealing with hypopigmentation.
To prevent recurrence of pityriasis versicolor, patients can be advised to wipe the skin with salicylic acid or water with a little lemon juice or vinegar added, as well as consult a cosmetologist about correcting sweating.
Patients need to know that stress, heavy physical exertion, wearing synthetic clothes increase sweating, which means they provoke relapses of pityriasis versicolor. In addition, hypopigmentation persists longer, and relapses are more common with self-treatment or non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations regarding the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.
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