Panu (tinea versicolor): symptoms, causes, treatment, etc.

Definition

What is tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor aka tinea versicolor is a fungal infection of the skin characterized by light or dark patches. Panu appears due to a fungal infection Malassezia found on the surface of the skin.

Basically, humans do have fungi that live on the skin in normal numbers. Generally, mushrooms like Malasseziadoes not cause health problems. Fungi can even coexist with body cells, and support each other (symbiotic).

Many microbiota (or microscopic organisms), including this fungus, play a role in protecting you from infections and other pathogens that can harm or cause disease.

However, sometimes the fungus can multiply excessively and affect the natural color or pigmentation of the skin. That is why you will find parts of your skin lighter or darker than the surrounding skin when you get tinea versicolor.

How common is this disease?

This skin disease is quite common. This condition can affect anyone, from all ethnic backgrounds and is more common in adolescents and young adults. Adults are more likely to get tinea versicolor if they are in areas with a subtropical climate.

Panu is more common in men than in women. This condition often occurs in hot and humid climates, and is often experienced by people who sweat a lot.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of tinea versicolor?

One of the most obvious signs and symptoms of tinea versicolor is uneven coloration of some parts of the skin. Generally, tinea versicolor does not cause pain. Panu often appears on the arms, chest, neck, or back.

Tinea versicolor patches can appear coppery brown, paler than the surrounding skin, or pink. The lighter patches may be more common in those with dark skin.

Some of the other characteristics of panu are:

• dry and scaly skin,
• cause itching,
• more visible when sunbathing, this is because the yeast inhibits the tanning process (tanning),
  
• prone to disappearing in cooler, less humid weather, as well
• arise slowly.

Panu that appears in dark skinned people can cause skin discoloration. This condition is known as hypopigmentation. Whereas for some people with whiter skin, the skin affected by this fungus can darken. This condition is called hyperpigmentation.

Some people who get tinea versicolor do not have significant changes in skin color or appearance. In general, the pallor that appears also does not affect the skin's susceptibility to sunlight.

Conditions similar to tinea versicolor

Some skin conditions may have symptoms similar to tinea versicolor. One of these conditions is vitiligo. To distinguish between them, here are the characteristics of vitiligo.

• Vitiligo does not affect the texture of your skin.
• Vitiligo usually appears on the fingers, wrists, armpits, mouth, eyes, or groin.
• Vitiligo often forms a symmetrical patch.

Skin rash caused by Pityriasis rosea also similar to panu. The difference is, these conditions are usually preceded by Herald patch, the only red, scaly patch of skin that appears days or weeks before the rash.

The rash usually appears in the form of an evergreen tree on the back. It is not known what causes this condition. However, the condition is neither dangerous nor contagious.

When should I see a doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this condition from worsening and possibly other worse conditions. Talk to your doctor to get the right treatment.

You need to get checked out immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms.

• Your skin does not improve with self-care measures.
• Yeast infection reappeared.
• Tinea spots cover large areas of your body.

Everyone's body is different. The symptoms that appear between you and other patients may not be the same. If you experience other symptoms that are not mentioned, consult your doctor to find out the exact condition.

Cause

What causes tinea versicolor?

The main cause of tinea versicolor is the growth of fungi Malassezia rapid and uncontrollable on the surface of the skin. These herbs then cause infection or suppress your immune system.

Doctors do not know exactly how tinea versicolor can occur. However, the mechanism of this disease is thought to have differences based on the type of disease.

Quoted from DermNet NZ, the type of white or hypopigmented tinea versicolor is likely caused by chemicals produced by Malassezia and released into the epidermis layer of the skin. These chemicals then impair the function of melanocytes. Melanocytes are the producers of melanin, the pigment that determines the color of hair or skin.

Meanwhile, the type of tinea versicolor that causes pink spots is a slightly inflamed tinea versicolor. The trigger is dermatitis caused by Malassezia.

So far, there are as many as 14 different species of mushrooms Malassezia that has been identified. The most common species to cause tinea versicolor are M. globosa, M. resta, and M. sympodialis.

What puts me at risk for this disease?

Several environmental and biological factors can put you at an increased risk of developing tinea versicolor. The following are risk factors for getting tinea versicolor, including:

• family history of this disease,
• excessive sweating,
• warm, humid climate,
• weak immune system,
• using drugs that weaken the immune system, as well
• some types of cancer.

Diagnosis

How is tinea versicolor diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects you have this condition, a physical exam and several tests will be recommended. There are also a few additional procedures that can help doctors detect tinea versicolor.

Some of the tests that the patient may undergo are as follows.

• Wood's lamp. This examination uses a lamp with a special UV light which will see for any fungus on the skin. If your skin is infected, it will appear yellow or green in the light.
• Biopsy. A biopsy involves taking a sample of skin tissue for examination in a laboratory.
• Microscopic examination. The skin sample that has been taken will be tested under a microscope to see if there are any fungal cells that cause this condition.

Treatment

How to treat tinea versicolor?

Generally, tinea versicolor can be treated at home with an antifungal cream or soap that can be purchased at a pharmacy. However, if the case is severe, the doctor will prescribe a special drug. The following are commonly used tinea versicolor drugs.

Topical anti-fungal drugs

Mild tinea versicolor can be treated with antifungal drugs. Creams and lotions containing selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or pyrithione zinc. Several other drug options include:

• terbinafine gel,
• ciclopirox cream, and
• sodium thiosulfate solution.

Not only do they relieve symptoms, they also help protect the skin from sunlight or artificial UV light sources. Usually, normal skin tone will eventually come out after regular use.

Medicines are usually used for three days or about two weeks depending on the severity of tinea versicolor. To use it, apply the medicine to the cleaned tinea versicolor area. The drug is applied thinly as much as one to two times a day.

If your condition doesn't get better after four weeks, contact your doctor. You may need stronger drugs.

Oral antifungal drugs (drink)

These drugs, including itraconazole and fluconazole, are used when tinea versicolor spreads to large areas of your body. This medication can also be used when medicated creams are not working well.

Oral Terbinafine, an antifungal drug used to treat dermatophyte infections, but is not effective at treating infections caused by Malassezia, like panu.

It is important to follow all doctor's directions for using these medications. Using drugs not as recommended can make it easier for tinea versicolor to return.

What are the home remedies for tinea versicolor?

Even though it has been treated with natural tinea versicolor remedies, this case can happen repeatedly because the fungus that causes tinea versicolor is a fungus that commonly lives on the skin. Cleansing medication can be done to help prevent this condition from coming back.

You may need to use a cleansing medication if the infection keeps coming back, especially if you live in a hot, humid area.

The most effective method to prevent tinea versicolor is to maintain cleanliness. Get rid of excess dirt and oil on the skin so you don't pass the infection on to other people.

Below are some things you can do to prevent tinea versicolor.

• Avoid sunbathing or excessive sun exposure. Sunbathing makes tinea versicolor more visible.
• Avoid sweating too much.
• Stop using oily skin care products. Use non-greasy or non-comedogenic products.
• Wear loose clothes.
• Do not use tanning bed or sun lamp. These things make tinea versicolor more visible.
• Using prescription drugs, especially when the weather is not friendly and the air temperature feels damp.

Consult a dermatologist to find the best solution to your problem.