Tinea Versicolor

Tinea Versicolor, or pityriasis Versicolor, is a non-contagious fungal infection characterized by light reddish-brown patches on skin. It mainly affects the epidermis over the chest and back. Young people are more often infected. The infection is not permanent and can be healed over time through proper prevention and medication.

Symptoms
The skin develops white or light brown patches that are more noticeable during the summer season. These patches are itchy and are further aggravated with excessive perspiration or exposure to high temperature. It does not appear on the facial skin, and has more apparent rashes on the trunk.

Causes
Malassezia furfur, a type of fungus and yeast, is the main cause of tinea Versicolor. This yeast is attracted to fatty deposits of the sebaceous glands. It is abundant everywhere, especially on the human skin and the environment. It propagates during the summer season and when exposed to high temperature.

Other conditions that can lead to tinea Versicolor are burns, pregnancy, malnutrition, intake of oral contraceptives, and undergoing steroid therapy.

Home Remedies
Chew 1-2 cloves of garlic daily. It is a very good anti-fungal agent.

Apply OTC or fungal creams to kill the fungus the caused this infection.

Use anti-dandruff shampoo, especially those that contains selenium sulfide for it kills the fungus on the patches.

Take a bath everyday. It will remove dead cells from the body and get rid of the fungus growing on your skin.

Diets
Have a well-balanced diet and maintain good body hygiene to prevent the growth of fungus in your body.

Eat plenty of whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables. It will provide enough antioxidants that can strengthen your immune system.

Consume lactic acid fermented food such as yogurt. It contains a substance called acidophilus that prevents the spread of infection.

Avoid excessive consumption of white flour and white sugar products.

Further Suggestions
It may take while for the skin to go back to its normal color when under treatment. There is a high chance of recurrence of this infection once the skin is healed.

Apply baby powder on the body to keep your body cool and dry.