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Tinea versicolor

• Overview
• Symptoms
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Definition:

Tinea versicolor is a chronic fungal infection of the skin .

Alternative Names:

Pityriasis versicolor

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Tinea versicolor is a relatively common skin infection caused by the fungus Pityrosporum ovale , a type of yeast which is normally found on human skin. It only causes problems under certain circumstances.

The most commonly sites are the back, underarms, upper arms, chest, and neck. The condition is most common in adolescent and young adult males and is associated with hot climates.

In African Americans, pigmentary changes are common with hypopigmentation (loss of color) or hyperpigmentation (increase in skin color).

• Review Date: 10/23/2006
• Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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