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How to Get Rid of Tinea Versicolor + Symptoms, Causes, and Diet Tips
Specialty: Dermatology
Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Geneti... more
Do you have discolored patches over certain areas of your skin? And do you live in a hot climate? If you answered yes to both these questions, you have most probably developed a fungal skin condition called tinea versicolor. To know more about this condition and its treatment options, continue reading.
What Is Tinea Versicolor?
There is a fungus called Malassezia that lives on the surface of your skin. Although it usually doesn’t cause any health problems, this fungus can sometimes grow out of control and cause changes in the natural color of your skin. As a result, you may develop patches that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.
This condition is referred to as tinea versicolor. Another term used for this condition is pityriasis versicolor.
One of the main signs of the onset of this condition is a discolored patch or patches that surface on your skin. These patches occur in various forms. The following section lists the symptoms of tinea versicolor.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Tinea Versicolor
The most prominent symptom of tinea versicolor are discolored skin patches that can occur on your arms, chest, neck, or even back.
These patches might be:
- Discolored as compared to the surrounding skin
- Red, brown, pink or slightly tanned
- Itchy, scaly, and dry
- More evident with tanning
- Disappear in cooler and less humid weather
The exact cause of this uncontrolled growth of malassezia fungus is not yet established. However, some factors are known to promote the growth of this fungus and increase the risk of infection.
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Causes And Risk Factors For Tinea Versicolor
Factors that can promote the growth of malassezia fungus are:
- Hot and/or humid climate
- Sweating a lot
- Oily skin
- Weak immunity
- Hormonal changes
Some factors can increase your risk of developing this skin condition. They include:
- A family history of tinea versicolor
- Living in a subtropical climate
- Taking medications that may weaken your immune system
- Cancer
- Taking medications that may disrupt your hormonal balance
One of the easiest ways to find out if you have developed tinea versicolor is to observe yourself physically and look for discolored patches. Your doctor may also conduct the following tests to check for the onset of tinea versicolor.
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How Is Tinea Versicolor Diagnosed?
Tinea versicolor can usually be diagnosed by looking at your skin. However, if such a diagnosis is not possible, your doctor may ask to take the following tests:
- A skin scraping test that involves scraping the affected skin and observing it under a microscope for the fungus.
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy, which involves observing scraped skin with a KOH solution under a microscope.
- Biopsy, which requires the outer layer of your skin to be tested.
- Wood’s lamp test, which involves the use of a special machine called Wood’s lamp that uses ultraviolet rays to check for the presence of fungus on your skin.
If the presence of the fungus is confirmed, you can begin with the treatment almost immediately. The treatment for this condition can also be initiated right at home with the help of some basic home remedies that are listed below.
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Why This Works
Tinea versicolor might result in itchy and discolored skin. The anti- inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can help in relieving the itching, while its antifungal activities eliminate the fungus causing this condition (1).
Why This Works
Eucalyptus oil contains a compound called eugenol, which is popular for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions. It helps relieve the symptoms of tinea versicolor and can also be used to fight the malassezia fungus (2).
Why This Works
Patchouli oil helps soothe inflamed and itchy skin. It is also a great remedy to fight fungal infections, thanks to its antifungal properties – which also help treat tinea versicolor (3), (4).
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Why This Works
Fungi cannot survive in an alkaline environment. The pH of your skin is usually acidic. Baking soda makes it alkaline and soothes itching (5).
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Why This Works
Garlic is a rich source of a compound called allicin. This organosulfur compound is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities that can be used to treat tinea versicolor and its symptoms (6).
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4. Vitamins
Vitamins A, D, and E can help treat tinea versicolor. They regulate your melanin production and promote faster recovery (84391' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >7), (8). These vitamins are also great antioxidants and exhibit healing properties.
These vitamins are available in spinach, turnips, kale, eggs, milk, fish, and broccoli. You can also take additional supplements you are deficient in these vitamins, but only after consulting a doctor.
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Why This Works
Yogurt is rich in probiotics, which display antifungal activities. They can be used to treat the malassezia fungus that causes tinea versicolor (9).
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Why This Works
The anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antifungal activities of coconut oil can aid the treatment of tinea versicolor. The presence of monolaurin makes coconut oil a wonderful remedy (10), (11).
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How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 to 3 times daily for effective results.
Why This Works
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar exhibits remarkable anti-inflammatory properties, which (along with the antifungal properties) help relieve the inflammation and infection associated with tinea versicolor (12).
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How Often You Should Do This
You must do this multiple times daily until you notice a difference.
Why This Works
Aloe vera’s healing nature can speed up your recovery. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties that can help you get rid of tinea versicolor (13), (14).
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How Often You Should Do This
Apply castor oil multiple times on the affected area daily.
Why This Works
The ricinoleic acid (ricinoleate) in castor oil exhibits anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities that help treat tinea versicolor (15), (16).
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Why This Works
Epsom salt contains magnesium, which helps reduce inflammation. The topical application of Epsom salt helps in treating the inflammatory symptoms of tinea versicolor (17).
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Why This Works
Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antifungal remedy that can be used to combat the fungus that causes tinea versicolor (18).
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Why This Works
Neem is a popular herbal medicine. It helps reduce inflammation in your skin and fights fungal infections with its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties (19), (20). The topical application of this herb can work wonders in treating tinea versicolor.
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Why This Works
The main constituent of turmeric is curcumin, which has antifungal as well as anti-inflammatory properties that amazingly work well against tinea versicolor (223' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >21), (22).
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Why This Works
Given the healing, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties of honey, it is no surprise that it can effectively treat tinea versicolor and its symptoms (24).
Along with these remedies, it is also important to consider altering your diet for treating tinea versicolor and preventing its recurrence.
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Diet Tips
If you are have tinea versicolor, you must pay extra attention to your regular diet. Following are two lists –foods that you must eat more of, and foods that are best avoided when you are suffering from tinea versicolor. Take a look.
What Not To Eat
You must also make a few changes to your usual lifestyle to assist your recovery. This can be done by simply following these prevention tips.
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Prevention Tips
Even if you follow the prevention tips, the chances of recurrence of this condition are high. Hence, you must be at your attentive best and avoid all triggers.
Most of the remedies discussed here are effective in treating cases of tinea versicolor and can be confidently tried at home. Would you like to share any more remedies with us? Get in touch with us via the comments section below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is tinea versicolor the same as vitiligo?
No. Vitiligo is a result of dysfunctionalilty of the cells that produce melanin, while tinea versicolor is a skin condition caused by a yeast fungus called Malassezia.
How long does tinea versicolor last?
In about two weeks, the physical symptoms like scaly and dry skin will be resolved. However, it may take about 6 to 12 months for your normal skin color to be restored.
Which is the best soap for tinea versicolor?
Antifungal soaps (like Naturasil Tinea Versicolor) soap are often recommended for the treatment of tinea versicolor. Zinc pyrithione is another soap used for treating tinea versicolor.
Which antifungal cream is best for tinea versicolor?
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Creams containing antifungal ingredients like clotrimazole, miconazole, selenium sulfide, and terbinafine are recommended for the treatment of tinea versicolor. Another popularly used lotion is the one made of selenium disulfide, which is also used as a shampoo, called Selsun Blue. You can also use any of the above remedies if you are looking for natural alternatives.
Does tinea versicolor itch?
Although the discolored skin patches are not contagious or painful, they may become scaly and itchy.
Which area of your body is most affected by tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor can affect any part of your body, but it is most likely to affect your neck, chest, back, and arms.