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Tinea versicolor

Alternative Names:

Pityriasis versicolor

Treatment:

Treatment consists of anti-fungal medicines applied to the skin. These medications include clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole.

Over-the-counter dandruff shampoos applied to the skin for 10 minutes each day in the shower may also help treat the lesions.

Expectations (prognosis):

Though tinea versicolor is easily treated, pigment changes may last for months after treatment. The condition may come back during the warm months.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of tinea versicolor.

Tinea versicolor - close-up

Tinea versicolor - shoulders

Tinea versicolor - close-up

Tinea versicolor on the back

Tinea versicolor - back

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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