Pityriasis versicolour

• Pityriasis versicolour:

  • Also called tinea versicolour
  • Common yeast infection of the skin
  • Flaky discoloured patches appear on the chest and back
• Epidemiology:

  • Most commonly affects young adults
  • More common in hot, humid climates
  • Often affects people who perspire heavily
  • Although it is not considered infectious in the conventional sense, it can affect more than one member of a family
• Cause:

  • Mycelial growth of fungi - Malassezia
  • Malassezia are a part of the normal skin microbiota
• Clinical features:

  • Affects the trunk, neck and/or arms - uncommon on other parts of the body
  • Can be coppery brown (hyperpigmentation), paler than surrounding skin (hypopigmentation), or pink
  • Usually asymptomatic but can be mildly itchy
• Management:

  • Selenium sulfide shampoo
  • Antifungal shampoo - ketoconazole (used over whole body, usually for widespread rash)
  • Topical antifungal cream - clotrimazole
  • If treatment fails - can use oral antifungals