Table of contents:
- The main cause of the appearance of tinea versicolor
- Another factor that causes tinea versicolor
- Tips to prevent tinea versicolor from appearing again
Panu is often found in tropical countries like Indonesia. Known as tinea versicolor, this disease is generally painless. However, this condition makes itchy and the patches often interfere with appearance. What exactly causes tinea versicolor?
The main cause of the appearance of tinea versicolor
Source: eMedicine Health
Actually, on everyone's skin, there are fungi and bacteria that live and live on it. These microbes can coexist with body cells without causing problems. In fact, many microbes can protect you from infections that can harm your body.
Unfortunately, sometimes mushrooms reproduce quickly and out of control. So that there is an infection that will cause various disorders of the skin that can affect the color, texture, and cause discomfort.
The type of fungus that causes this skin disease is a group of fungi Malassezia. Malassezia including part of the microbiota, namely microorganisms commonly found on normal skin. These fungi depend on lipids (fats) to survive.
So far, there are 14 species of mushrooms Malassezia that was found. What often causes tinea versicolor is Malassezia globosa, Malassezia resta, Malasseiza sympodialis, and Malassezia furfur. Usually this fungus grows around the scalp, face, and chest without causing a skin rash.
It is not clear how the fungi cause disease. However, the process is thought to occur in different ways depending on the type of tinea versicolor that appears.
In brown tinea versicolor, yeast enter and make the melanosomes (pigment granules) in the melanocytes (cells that produce skin pigment called melanin) enlarge, causing hyperpegmentation. This process causes brown spots on the skin.
While white tinea versicolor or hypopigmentation is probably caused by chemicals produced by Malassezia fungus that enter the epidermis layer of the skin and damage the function of melanocytes.
Another with pink tinea versicolor. Usually this type is triggered by inflammation from seborrheic dermatitis which can also arise due to fungal growth Malassezia on damp skin.
Another factor that causes tinea versicolor
As already mentioned, the Malassezia mushroom lives on the skin of many people. This fungus inhabits the skin of 90% of adults without causing damage. However, there are several factors that cause the fungus to grow and infect the skin.
Some of the risk factors that cause tinea versicolor include the following.
- Hot weather. Hot weather can make people sweat, which can make it easier for mold to breed. This reason also makes people who live in areas with tropical / subtropical climates more susceptible to tinea versicolor.
- Moisture. Humid areas are ideal places for mold to grow.
- Low immune system. People who have low immune systems are more susceptible to infection. Those who fall into this category are people who have an immune-attacking disease (HIV).
- Certain medications. Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment or who are taking drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosupression) a higher risk of getting tinea versicolor.
- Family history. Having parents who have had tinea versicolor makes children more vulnerable to experiencing the same thing.
The good news is, even though it is caused by a yeast infection, you don't need to worry about contracting or transmitting this disease. This is because the fungus that causes tinea versicolor is a fungus that grows naturally on the skin and can be treated with tinea versicolor drugs.
Tips to prevent tinea versicolor from appearing again
For those of you who are experiencing this disorder, don't worry because tinea versicolor is not a disease that can cause other serious illnesses. However, the appearance of phlegm is sometimes a scourge to avoid because it can interfere with appearance.
In order to avoid disease, it's a good idea to pay attention to tips to prevent the causes of tinea versicolor. This can also be applied to those of you who have recovered and hope that the tinea versicolor doesn't come back. Some of the steps include the following.
- Avoid using skin products that contain oil. Oily skin is more prone to fungal growth.
- Reduce exposure to sunlight. If sun exposure is unavoidable, consider using an anti-fungal shampoo every day for a few days before sun exposure.
- Wear sunscreen every day. Use an oil-free product with at least SPF 30.
- Don't wear tight clothes, like jeans, and so on. Wear clothes made of fabrics that absorb sweat, such as cotton.
In addition, the most important thing to avoid tinea versicolor is to keep yourself clean.
