Pityriasis versicolor (pityriasis fungus) is a harmless skin fungal disease that results in a non-contagious, but in rare cases itchy, skin rash. This skin fungus is treated with the help of locally applied medications such as ointments or creams. However, the risk of recurrence is very high, because the pathogen of the Kleienpilzflechte is part of the natural environment of the skin.
What is pityriasis versicolor?
Pityriasis versicolor is a harmless infection of the top layer of the skin with fungi called Malassezia furfur. Pityriasis versicolor is very common, is not contagious and is considered harmless. Even though pityriasis versicolor has no real disease value, it causes an altered skin appearance that is perceived as disturbing by most patients. The fungus causes a brownish or pigmentless skin rash, which usually manifests itself in round spots that can reach approximately three centimeters in size. These patches often merge in pityriasis versicolor and are usually located on the chest or back, as this is where most of the sebaceous and sweat glands of human skin are located. If the pityriasis versicolor spreads very strongly, the actually harmless rash can itch or be unpleasantly tense. Some people have increased scaling on the skin in the area of pityriasis versicolor, which can be aggravated by scratching.
Causes
Everyone carries the fungus responsible for causing pityriasis versicolor on their skin, and it is particularly dense on the scalp in most people. Some people develop the rash typical of pityriasis versicolor. Presumably, the development of pityriasis versicolor is favored by heavy sweating in the summer months as well as by hyperthyroidism. Other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, and the use of certain medications, such as the contraceptive pill, can also promote the outbreak of the rash. In general, people who develop pityriasis versicolor often have a weakened immune system.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
The leading symptom of pityriasis versicolor is patches of varying size on the skin. These can range in diameter from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. These spots vary from person to person and depend very much on the skin condition. On tanned areas of skin and on darker skin types, the spots usually appear lighter than the surrounding area. Here, pigment loss occurs in the epidermis. In lighter skin types, reddish or brownish spots are more likely to appear, and thus pigment increases. However, the dead skin fungus can also leave bright spots after treatment. The spots usually first appear sporadically and can also occur in foci. The spots can also merge into each other and thus become large patterns on the skin. Lupus does not colonize the entire body, but prefers the back, the upper abdomen, the upper arms and the shoulders. Rarely, the neck and face are affected. The scalp is not affected. All affected areas can be completely colonized by the fungus. The spots itch in the very least cases and can sometimes be raised. If they are scratched, they sometimes scale.
Diagnosis and course
Diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor is made by a dermatologist who examines the affected skin regions with a special black light lamp. In addition, an adhesive film strip is used to take a skin sample from the patient, which is later examined under a microscope for the fungi responsible for pityriasis versicolor. In this way, the diagnosis of the Kleienpilzflechte is ensured. The harmless skin disease usually runs smoothly with appropriate treatment and regresses well. However, it reappears in many patients after a certain period of time, since the causative agent of pityriasis versicolor is part of the natural skin flora of humans.
Complications
As a rule, pityriasis versicolor is a harmless disease. Particular complications do not occur and the disease can be relatively well limited.The risk of infection is also relatively low with pityriasis versicolor, so that even the personal environment is usually not affected by this disease. Those affected suffer from various spots on the skin. In most cases, these are brown or red and relatively large. Many of those affected suffer from a lowered self-esteem or also from inferiority complexes, as they are ashamed of the symptoms. A rash on the skin can also occur in this process and significantly reduce the quality of life of those affected. In some cases, patients with this disease also suffer from itching. Especially in children, this can lead to teasing or bullying, causing them to develop psychological symptoms or depression. Treatment of pityriasis versicolor is done with the help of medications. No complications occur. However, this disease has a relatively high risk of recurrence, so that in many cases, the affected people get sick again with this disease.
When should you go to the doctor?
Psoriasis in the area of the upper arms, chest, and face indicate the presence of Kleienpilz lichen. A visit to the doctor is indicated when symptoms clearly indicate a serious condition, affect well-being, or persist for more than a week. Persons suffering from chronic skin diseases should consult the responsible dermatologist when pityriasis versicolor is suspected. The physician can determine the condition by a visual diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate remedy. No further visits to the doctor are necessary during the therapy, as long as there are no unforeseen complications or complaints. The cause of the Kleienpilzflechte can be determined dermatologically under certain circumstances, but often the trigger can no longer be clearly traced. In addition to the dermatologist, the disease can be taken to the family doctor or internist. A therapist should be consulted if permanent skin changes occur, such as scars or pigment spots, which have a negative effect on mental well-being. Talk therapy in a self-help group can also help to accept the suffering and the associated external blemishes.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of pityriasis versicolor involves topically applied antifungal agents. Depending on the severity of the rash, the dermatologist may prescribe a cream, lotion or ointment, all of which work reliably against pityriasis versicolor. Special washing lotions and sprays also help excellently. However, the patient affected by pityriasis versicolor must use the prescribed medication regularly and massage it in carefully. It is recommended to extend the treatment of the skin to the surrounding skin areas and to continue the treatment for about two weeks after the visible rash has subsided, in order to prevent a relapse. If a patient is very severely affected by pityriasis versicolor or the locally applied antifungal agents do not work, it is possible to take tablets containing an antifungal agent, which are also effective against pityriasis versicolor. There is no risk of infection with pityriasis versicolor.
Outlook and prognosis
Pityriasis versicolor can be cured well in most cases. However, a doctor should be contacted at the first symptoms and signs of the disease to prevent further spread of the disease and other complications and discomfort. A self-healing of pityriasis versicolor can not occur, so that the affected person is usually always dependent on a medical examination and treatment for this disease. If the disease is not treated at all, the symptoms usually spread over the entire body and considerably restrict the quality of life of the affected person. It can also lead to psychological upsets or depression if the fungus also appears on the face. With the help of creams or ointments, pityriasis versicolor can be well limited and also completely cured. However, some people become ill again after treatment and thus depend on regular use of the medication. However, life expectancy is not limited or otherwise reduced by this disease. As a rule, pityriasis versicolor also cannot be prevented.
Prevention
Effective prevention of pityriasis versicolor is to take thorough care of the skin and keep it dry.Especially in the warm summer months, care should be taken to wear loose, breathable clothing made of natural materials, since heavy perspiration promotes the development of pityriasis versicolor. In patients who have already had pityriasis versicolor, preventive drug treatment of the skin is recommended, especially during the summer months, to prevent a new outbreak of the rash.
Aftercare
In most cases of pityriasis versicolor, only a few or limited aftercare measures are available to those affected. First and foremost, the affected person must contact a physician very early in order to prevent further complications or the occurrence of further complaints. As a rule, self-healing is not possible, so that the affected person is in any case dependent on a visit to a doctor. In many cases, the symptoms of pityriasis versicolor can be alleviated by using creams or ointments. Affected persons should always follow the doctor’s instructions and also pay attention to a correct dosage and to a regular use of the medicines. If there are changes on the skin, a doctor must be consulted in any case, so that there is no tumor on the skin. In children, especially parents should monitor the child’s skin and also ensure proper use of the medication. Pityriasis versicolor does not usually reduce the life expectancy of the affected person. A complete cure is not always possible in this case, however, so that no general course can be given.
What you can do yourself
Pityriasis versicolor is curable exclusively with antifungals, but can be contained by home remedies. However, home therapy for pityriasis versicolor should not be considered a substitute for therapy with a fungicidal drug. In this respect, the methods described are primarily suitable for preventing the fungus from multiplying while waiting for treatment. As a trial, those affected can rub the affected skin areas with five percent vinegar. Any form of vinegar is suitable, but the concentration should not be exceeded, otherwise skin irritation may occur. If necessary, the vinegar is diluted. The body can be rubbed with a sponge or washcloth soaked in vinegar. After an exposure time of ten to fifteen minutes, the vinegar is washed off. This procedure can be done twice a day and can kill the skin fungus in many places. However, the spore reservoirs on the head cannot be eliminated in this way. It is important that those affected keep their skin dry in order to destroy the fungus’ preferred environment. Scratching should be refrained from as far as possible, as this only leads to scaling and cracking of the skin. It is also important to properly handle skin areas that have become discolored as a result of the fungal infection. Thus, the use of make-up and similar products is not advisable, because exposed skin regenerates far better. However, it sometimes takes months for pigmentation to return to normal.