PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR(Tinea Versicolor) |
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PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR
(Tinea Versicolor)
DESCRIPTIONPityriasis versicolor is a yeast infection of the skin that changes the color of the skin it affects. The skin of the chest, back, shoulders, upper arms, trunk, or groin is involved. This infection rarely affects the face. Pityriasis versicolor seldom affects children prior to adolescence.
Appropriate health care includes:
Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications.
Self-care after diagnosis.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Lesions on your child with the following characteristics:
Lesions on exposed skin are white; on covered areas, they are brown or brownish red.
Lesions are flat with clearly defined borders. They don't scale unless scraped.
Lesions begin at 3 to 4mm in diameter and spread. They often join together to form large patches.
CAUSES
A developing stage of the yeast, pityrosborum orbiculare. High heat and high humidity favor the growth of this yeast. The infection is contagious, but how it spreads is unknown.
RISK FACTORS
Environmental exposure to heat and high humidity.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCENo specific preventive measures.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Laboratory culture of scrapings for positive diagnosis.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSUnlimited recurrence without treatment.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Untreated pityriasis versicolor persists indefinitely but seems to come and go at times. It frequently recurs, even with treatment. Following treatment, the white patches will remain on your child for months after the yeast infection has been cured.
TREATMENT
HOME CAREInstructions for your child:
Apply prescribed medicine with cotton balls to affected parts once a day for 3 weeks. Rinse off in 30 minutes if you wish.
Expose affected skin to air as much as possible.
Repeat treatment prior to the tanning season each year.
MEDICATION
Your doctor may prescribe selenium sulfide shampoo (Exgel and Selsun) or other anti-fungal medication to apply to affected areas.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
No restrictions.
DIET & FLUIDS
No special diet.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?Yes.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your child has symptoms of pityriasis versicolor.
Infection doesn't improve despite treatment.
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