The yeast that causes tinea versicolor lives on everyone’s skin. It is not clear why the yeast overgrows on some people’s skin and not others. Although there is much unknown about tinea versicolor, we do know that teens and young adults are most susceptible because they have oily skin. People of all skin colors are affected by tinea versicolor, but older adults and children rarely get it unless they live in a tropical or subtropical area. People who live in non-tropical areas often see tinea versicolor disappear during the cool, dry months.

Symptoms

The first sign of tinea versicolor is often spots on the skin. These spots:

  • grow slowly
  • are lighter (sometimes darker) than the surrounding skin
  • can be white, pink, salmon, red, tan, or brown
  • can appear anywhere on the body
  • can be dry and scaly
  • may itch where they appear
  • become more noticeable as the skin tans (yeast prevents the affected skin from tanning)
  • may disappear when the temperature drops and return in the spring or summer when the air gets warm and humid

As the yeast grows, the spots can combine and form patches of lighter (or darker) skin. Sometimes the spots are so faint that people do not realize they have tinea versicolor. If tinea versicolor causes light spots on the skin, it can be mistaken for vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin disease that causes the skin to lose its color.

What Causes It?

Yeast normally live on our skin. When the yeast overgrows, it causes the skin disease tinea versicolor. It is believed that hot, humid weather, sweating, oily skin and a weakened immune system can cause the yeast to overgrow.

Treatment Options

A dermatologist can often look at the skin and tell whether a patient has tinea versicolor. If there is any doubt, the dermatologist may gently scrape off a bit of the skin to examine it under a microscope.

If tinea versicolor is diagnosed, your dermatologist may describe anti-fungal shampoo, soap, cream or lotion to keep the yeast under control. There are are also medicated cleansers and anti-fungal pills that can treat severe or recurrent cases.

With treatment, the yeast is easy to kill. The skin, however, may stay lighter (or darker) for weeks or months. The skin will eventually return to its normal color. To help even out your skin tone, you should protect your skin from the sun and not tan.

Locations with this service

Zephyrhills 
38162 Medical Center Ave
Zephyrhills, FL 33540
View
Weston 
2625 Executive Park Dr, Suite 7
Weston, FL 33331
View
Venice Health Park 
1295 Jacaranda Blvd.
Venice, FL 34292
View
Tampa Palms 
15310 Amberly Dr, Suite 150
Tampa, FL 33647
View
Sun City Center 
1007 E Del Webb Blvd, Suite 101
Sun City Center, FL 33573
View
Pembroke Pines 
603 N Flamingo Rd, Suite 350
Pembroke Pines, FL 33028
View
Parrish 
9015 US Highway 301 N
Parrish, FL 34219
View
North Port – Commons 
14840 Tamiami Trail
North Port, FL 34287
View
North Port – Bobcat Village 
2481 Bobcat Village Center Rd, Suite 101
North Port, FL 34288
View
Naples – North 
1015 Crosspointe Dr.
Naples, FL 34110
View
Naples – Downtown 
261 9th St S
Naples, FL 34102
View
Naples – Colonial Square 
1108 Goodlette-Frank Rd. N.
Naples, FL 34102
View
Naples – Central 
9125 Corsea Del Fontana Way, Suite 100
Naples, FL 34109
View
Miami
Formerly Bowes Dermatology
Mercy Professional Building Suite 6008
 
3659 S Miami Ave, Suite 6008
Miami, FL 33133
View
Lakewood Ranch 
8340 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Suite 260
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
View
Fort Myers – West 
9400 Gladiolus Dr, Suite 320
Fort Myers, FL 33908
View
Fort Myers – South 
7331 Gladiolus Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33908
View
Estero 
19527 Highland Oaks Dr, Suite 201
Estero, FL 33928
View
Englewood 
406 N Indiana Ave
Englewood, FL 34223
View
Deerfield Beach 
1880 W Hillsboro Blvd, Suite A
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
View
Clearwater 
1122 Druid Rd E
Clearwater, FL 33756
View
Cape Coral – Surfside 
2366 Surfside Blvd, Suite C111
Cape Coral, FL 33991
View
Cape Coral 
413 Del Prado Blvd S, Suite 101
Cape Coral, FL 33990
View
Bonita Springs 
25987 S Tamiami Trail, Unit 90
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
View
Boca Raton – East 
200 Glades Road, Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33432
View
Bay Harbor Islands 
1111 Kane Concourse, Suite 100
Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
View
View All

Providers of this service

View All