Tinea Versicolor: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Tinea Versicolor is a common fungal infection that affects teens and young adults. It results in small, discoloured patches on skin. The patches mostly occur around the trunk and shoulders. They may be lighter or darker than the colour of your skin. These patches are not contagious, harmful or painful but they may cause embarrassment and self consciousness. You must look out for patches of skin discolouration, usually on the back, neck, chest and upper arms along with mild itching and scaling. This condition is curable by some home remedies using antifungal creams, lotions and shampoos. However, you must see a doctor if the area affected is large or the fungal infection returns in a short period of time. The doctor will prescribe some over the counter medications to get rid of your patches.

Tinea Versicolor is a common fungal infection whose chances of occurrence can be stimulated by a genetic factor i.e genetic predisposition. That means, in case the infection is hereditary, the tendency for the particular individual to develop it, gets increases. However, the connection of the causing fungus with the involved genes has not been proved yet and the explanation for this is partially understood.

Your dermatologist will consider your medical history and will figure out the reason behind your fungal infection. Depending on the area affected and the severity of your condition, you will be prescribed with certain medications. One or few of the following may be prescribed by your dermatologist- Ciclopirox cream, gel or shampoo, Fluconazole tablets or oral solution, Itraconazole tablets, capsules or oral solution, Selenium Sulphide 2.5 percent lotion or shampoo and Ketoconazole cream, gel or shampoo. Wash and dry the affected area before applying any kind of cream, ointment or lotion. Apply a thin layer of the product once or twice a day, as directed by your dermatologist. If you do not see any improvement in your condition after four weeks, you should consult your dermatologist again. You will need stronger medications to cure your skin infection.

If you see discoloured patches on your back, neck, chest or upper arms and feel mild itching or pain, you must start with a treatment immediately to get rid if your patches.

Mild discolouration of skin may be due to some other medical treatment you are going through. Wait for that treatment to subside before starting with this treatment.

Tinea, commonly referred to as ringworm or dermatophytosis, is a fungal infection that needs to be treated as early as possible. In case it’s not getting treated, it may spread from the infected part to other parts of the body. Due to this, the chances of transmission of infection from one person to another increases too. Further can lead to complications when it reaches the scalp or nails, in the form of hair loss and damaged or broken nails.

The oral medications may cause mild headache or nausea. If your skin is sensitive, certain ointments or creams may react adversely and cause rashes on your skin.

Keep the affected areas clean from dust all the time. Do not apply the ointments or creams more frequently than instructed. Protect your skin from the ultra violet rays of the sun. Remember to apply sun screen lotion if stepping out in the sun is unavoidable.

Ideally, your condition should improve in about four weeks. If it does not improve, consult your dermatologist. You will need stronger medications.

One session of consultation with a dermatologist may cost between ₹600 - ₹1300. Ciclopirox may cost around ₹130 per 50 ml. Cost of Fluconazole may be around ₹26 per tablet. Itraconazole will cost about ₹27 per tablet. Ketoconazole will cost around ₹200 per 60ml.

The treatment of Tinea Versicolor is not permanent. It may return if the viral infection returns.

Home remedies have always been proven as a boon for a number of skin infections such as Tinea or ringworm. One such example is apple cider vinegar, which can be used in case of fungal infection i.e Tinea. Being a strong antifungal agent, it can effectively treat the infection with a topical application in the affected area. Soaking cotton in concentrated apple cider vinegar and directly applying it in the infected region serves the purpose.

In the case of minor Tinea Versicolor, you can try some over-the-counter antifungal lotions. Wash your skin and keep it clean at all times. Protect the affected areas from the harmful rays of the sun.

Summary: Tinea Versicolor is a common fungal infection whose chances of occurrence can be stimulated by a genetic factor i.e genetic predisposition. The infection is recurrent in nature hence the treatment needs to be repeated. In the case of athlete's foot, jock itch or body ringworm, antifungal cream and oral antifungal medicine are preferred for an effective cure, while when the scalp is infected, antifungal shampoo and oral tablets are preferred. Nail infection is followed by the treatment with medicated nail lacquers and antifungal medicine.