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Treat tinea versicolor at home: Tinea Versicolor Treatment, Causes, Pictures, Remedies & Symptoms

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Home Treatment for Tinea Versicolor and Self-Care Tips

Tinea versicolor is a yeast infection characterized by the appearance of small, flat, discolored spots on different areas of the body, but mostly on the greasy areas of the face, neck, chest, back, and abdomen.

These spots tend to be itchy, flaky, scaly, and lighter or darker than the normal skin. If left untreated, multiple spots may gradually combine to form larger patches that can be quite unappealing and hard to ignore.

Malassezia globosa is the fungus responsible for this condition, and it lives normally on the skin surface but can cause an infection if it overgrows. (1) This fungus requires a hot and humid environment to grow rapidly and induce tinea versicolor. This is why people who live in tropical climates are more prone to this infection than those living in colder regions.

Also, excessive sweating combined with poor hygiene makes a perfect breeding ground for this fungus.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes

While there is no replacement for standard medication, you can do certain things at home to promote faster recovery from tinea versicolor.

Home treatment/remedies

1. Antifungal/antidandruff shampoos

Buy any medicated antifungal or antidandruff shampoo that contains about 2% ketoconazole, has a good rating, and is available without a prescription.

Lather it up by mixing with some water, and then apply it all over the patchy skin for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with plain water. The best time to do this is while you are taking a shower so that you can easily wash your entire body.

2. Over-the-counter lotions and creams

Certain topical antifungal products can relieve mild flare-ups of tinea versicolor by killing the fungus, reduce future flare-ups, and soothe the skin discomfort.

These products can easily be bought from your local pharmacy without a prescription. Some of the best topical antifungal products for managing tinea versicolor are:

  • Clotrimazole cream or lotion (2)
  • Terbinafine cream or gel
  • Miconazole cream
  • Selenium sulfide 1% lotion (2)
  • Zinc pyrithione soap (2)
3. Anecdotal remedies

There are natural ingredients that can be used topically to relieve the symptoms of tinea versicolor.

These topical remedies are widely acknowledged on Internet forums and have been effective for a number of general users, but there is little to no scientific evidence to confirm their safety or potency. So, guaranteed results are not expected after using these remedies and it is recommended to consult your doctor before trying any of them.

Here are some of the most commonly used ingredients that can help treat tinea versicolor:

  • Aloe vera
  • Lemongrass (3)(4)
  • Neem
  • Tea tree oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Olive oil (5)
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Turmeric

Dietary modifications

  • Consume fruits and vegetables that are replete with immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E, minerals, and antioxidants to help your body fight the infection.
  • Add probiotic foods to an overall wholesome, well-balanced diet. Probiotics are beneficial strains of bacteria that aid gastrointestinal functioning and boost immunity. (6) Some of the best dietary sources of probiotics include yogurt and fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, kefir, kombucha, and tempeh. If you can’t derive your required intake through foods alone, you can ask your doctor to put you on probiotic supplements that contain high concentrations of the good bacteria.
  • People who are prone to recurrent episodes of tinea versicolor are advised to cut out yeast-promoting foods from their diet. This means giving up highly refined carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol, vinegar, and peanuts.

Self-care tips to manage and prevent tinea versicolor:

  • Maintain proper skin hygiene to control the spread of infection to other parts of the body. Do so by washing the patchy or spot-ridden skin with soap and water two times a day, especially before applying any topical remedy or medication.
  • Always wear sunscreen during the day to keep your skin from tanning, since hypopigmented or lighter spots tend to stand out against darker skin. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks out both UVA and UVB rays (7) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher (7) and a lightweight oil-free formulation that does not clog your pores (noncomedogenic). These features are usually mentioned on the packaging and so should be easy to spot.
  • Wear loose, flowy clothes made with soft, breathable fabrics that don’t cling to or rub against your skin. Tight-fitting clothes do not provide any room for ventilation and therefore induce a lot of sweating, which can make your skin a breeding ground for yeast and other infection-causing microbes. Moreover, such clothes, especially those made with coarse fabrics such as cotton or wool, can cause a lot of friction against your skin and can further irritate the itchy spots.
  • Take a shower soon after exercising or any activity that makes you perspire a lot. Sweaty, warm skin is highly conducive to the overgrowth of the Malassezia globosa fungus.
  • Resist the urge to scratch the itchy spots. Scratching can transfer the dirt from your nails to the infected skin and also cause more skin damage due to the vigorous friction. Moreover, your fingers will pick up the fungus from the infected skin in the process of scratching. Touching other areas of the skin with your contaminated fingers can easily spread the infection.
  • Change out of unclean, sweaty clothes as soon as possible. The idea is to keep your skin clean and dry at all times to deny the conditions needed by the infection-causing yeast to multiply rapidly, thus limiting the occurrence or spread of tinea versicolor.

Most-Asked Questions About Tinea Versicolor

What can I do to prevent tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor can come back even after successful treatment if you don’t remain mindful of your skin hygiene. People who have suffered this infection more than once should continue using topical antifungals even after full recovery.

Doctors usually recommend applying medicated dandruff shampoo all over the body for a few minutes while bathing to kill any fungal overgrowth on the skin, but only once a month for the entire year after recovery. This is especially necessary during the summers when you sweat more and have a greater chance of fostering a fungal overgrowth on your skin.

How long does tinea versicolor last?

The doctor-recommended antifungal treatment for tinea versicolor coupled with appropriate self-care will most likely resolve the itchiness, dryness, and scaly texture of the infected skin within 2 weeks.

However, the discoloration will persist for longer. It can take 6 months to a full year for the marks to disappear and your complexion to even out, depending upon the consistency of your skin care efforts and the extent of your problem.

Final Word

Tinea versicolor spots or patches can be quite discomforting and can make you extremely self-conscious of your appearance. The good thing is this infection can be treated easily with the appropriate antifungal medication, which includes topical products and oral pills.

Early treatment is the best way to minimize the appearance of new spots or patches, but it can take a few months for the existing ones to completely disappear. You can derive comfort from the fact that tinea versicolor does not spread from one person to another and is completely noncancerous.

Continue ReadingTinea Versicolor: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

References

  1. Bamford JTM, Flores‐Genuino RNS, Ray S, et al. Interventions for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6513390/. Published June 25, 2018.
  2. Karray M. Tinea Versicolor. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482500/. Published August 10, 2020.
  3. Carmo ES, Pereira Fde O, Cavalcante NM, Gayoso CW, Lima Ede O. Treatment of pityriasis versicolor with topical application of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf – therapeutic pilot study. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3754369/. Published 2013.
  4. Negri M, Salci TP, Shinobu-Mesquita CS, Capoci IRG, Svidzinski TIE, Kioshima ES. Early state research on antifungal natural products. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6271505/. Published March 7, 2014.
  5. NS; A-W. An alternative treatment for pityriasis versicolor, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and tinea faciei with topical application of honey, olive oil and beeswax mixture: an open pilot study. Complementary therapies in medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15130571/.
  6. Shi LH, Balakrishnan K, Thiagarajah K, Mohd Ismail NI, Yin OS. Beneficial Properties of Probiotics. Tropical life sciences research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5031164/. Published August 2016.
  7. Paul SP. Ensuring the Safety of Sunscreens, and Their Efficacy in Preventing Skin Cancers: Challenges and Controversies for Clinicians, Formulators, and Regulators. Frontiers in medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6736991/. Published September 4, 2019.

How To Get Rid Of Tinea Versicolor + Symptoms, Causes, And Diet Tips

Do you have discolored patches over certain areas of your skin? And do you live in a hot climate? If you answered yes to both these questions, you have most probably developed a fungal skin condition called tinea versicolor. To know more about this condition and its treatment options, continue reading.

In This Article

What Is Tinea Versicolor?

There is a fungus called Malassezia that lives on the surface of your skin. Although it usually doesn’t cause any health problems, this fungus can sometimes grow out of control and cause changes in the natural color of your skin. As a result, you may develop patches that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.

This condition is referred to as tinea versicolor. Another term used for this condition is pityriasis versicolor.

One of the main signs of the onset of this condition is a discolored patch or patches that surface on your skin. These patches occur in various forms. The following section lists the symptoms of tinea versicolor.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Tinea Versicolor

The most prominent symptom of tinea versicolor are discolored skin patches that can occur on your arms, chest, neck, or even back.

These patches might be:

  • Discolored as compared to the surrounding skin
  • Red, brown, pink or slightly tanned
  • Itchy, scaly, and dry
  • More evident with tanning
  • Disappear in cooler and less humid weather

The exact cause of this uncontrolled growth of malassezia fungus is not yet established. However, some factors are known to promote the growth of this fungus and increase the risk of infection.

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Causes And Risk Factors For Tinea Versicolor

Factors that can promote the growth of malassezia fungus are:

  • Hot and/or humid climate
  • Sweating a lot
  • Oily skin
  • Weak immunity
  • Hormonal changes

Some factors can increase your risk of developing this skin condition. They include:

  • A family history of tinea versicolor
  • Living in a subtropical climate
  • Taking medications that may weaken your immune system
  • Cancer
  • Taking medications that may disrupt your hormonal balance

One of the easiest ways to find out if you have developed tinea versicolor is to observe yourself physically and look for discolored patches. Your doctor may also conduct the following tests to check for the onset of tinea versicolor.

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‎How Is Tinea Versicolor Diagnosed?

Tinea versicolor can usually be diagnosed by looking at your skin. However, if such a diagnosis is not possible, your doctor may ask to take the following tests:

  • A skin scraping test that involves scraping the affected skin and observing it under a microscope for the fungus.
  • Potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy, which involves observing scraped skin with a KOH solution under a microscope.
  • Biopsy, which requires the outer layer of your skin to be tested.
  • Wood’s lamp test, which involves the use of a special machine called Wood’s lamp that uses ultraviolet rays to check for the presence of fungus on your skin.

If the presence of the fungus is confirmed, you can begin with the treatment almost immediately. The treatment for this condition can also be initiated right at home with the help of some basic home remedies that are listed below.

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How To Get Rid Of Tinea Versicolor Naturally

    1. Essential Oils
    2. Baking Soda
    3. Garlic
    4. Vitamins
    5. Yogurt
    6. Coconut Oil
    7. Apple Cider Vinegar
    8. Aloe Vera
    9. Castor Oil
    10. Epsom Salt
    11. Grapefruit Seed Extract
    12. Neem
    13. Turmeric
    14. Candle Bush
    15. Honey

Home Remedies To Treat Tinea Versicolor

1.

Essential Oils

a. Tea Tree Oil
You Will Need
  • 7 drops of tea tree oil
  • 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix seven drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil.
  2. Apply the mixture to the affected areas.
  3. Leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Tinea versicolor might result in itchy and discolored skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can help in relieving the itching, while its antifungal activities eliminate the fungus causing this condition (1).

b. Eucalyptus Oil
You Will Need
  • 6-7 drops of eucalyptus oil
  • 1 teaspoon of any carrier oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil, etc.)
What You Have To Do
  1. Take six to seven drops of eucalyptus oil and add a teaspoon of any carrier oil to it.
  2. Massage this mixture into the affected areas and leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes.
  3. Wash it off and pat your skin dry.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this multiple times daily.

Why This Works

Eucalyptus oil contains a compound called eugenol, which is popular for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions. It helps relieve the symptoms of tinea versicolor and can also be used to fight the malassezia fungus (2).

c. Patchouli Oil
You Will Need
  • 8 drops of patchouli oil
  • 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix eight drops of patchouli oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil or any other carrier oil.
  2. Massage this mixture gently into the affected skin.
  3. Leave it on for 20 to 40 minutes and wash it off.
  4. You can also leave this on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this thrice daily.

Why This Works

Patchouli oil helps soothe inflamed and itchy skin. It is also a great remedy to fight fungal infections, thanks to its antifungal properties – which also help treat tinea versicolor (3), (4).

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2. Baking Soda

You Will Need
  • 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda
  • Water (as required)
What You Have To Do
  1. Take two teaspoons of baking soda and add a few drops of water to it.
  2. Apply the paste to the affected areas and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Wash the mixture off with water.
  4. You can also mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water and consume it.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this on a daily basis.

Why This Works

Fungi cannot survive in an alkaline environment. The pH of your skin is usually acidic. Baking soda makes it alkaline and soothes itching (5).

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3. Garlic

You Will Need

Minced garlic

What You Have To Do
  1. Mince some garlic and extract the juice.
  2. Apply the garlic extract to the affected area and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Wash it off with water.
  4. You can also consume two cloves of garlic daily on an empty stomach.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice daily.

Why This Works

Garlic is a rich source of a compound called allicin. This organosulfur compound is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities that can be used to treat tinea versicolor and its symptoms (6).

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4. Vitamins

Vitamins A, D, and E can help treat tinea versicolor. They regulate your melanin production and promote faster recovery (7), (8). These vitamins are also great antioxidants and exhibit healing properties.

These vitamins are available in spinach, turnips, kale, eggs, milk, fish, and broccoli. You can also take additional supplements you are deficient in these vitamins, but only after consulting a doctor.

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5. Yogurt

You Will Need

Plain yogurt (as required)

What You Have To Do
  1. Take some plain yogurt and apply it directly to the affected skin.
  2. Leave it on for 30 minutes, after which you can wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Yogurt is rich in probiotics, which display antifungal activities. They can be used to treat the malassezia fungus that causes tinea versicolor (9).

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6. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

Coconut oil (as required)

What You Have To Do
  1. Apply coconut oil to the affected areas.
  2. Leave it on for 30 minutes or overnight before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

The anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antifungal activities of coconut oil can aid the treatment of tinea versicolor. The presence of monolaurin makes coconut oil a wonderful remedy (10), (11).

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7. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup of water
  • Cotton pads
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the water.
  2. Dip a cotton pad into the solution and apply it to the affected areas.
  3. You can also drink this solution once a day.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 to 3 times daily for effective results.

Why This Works

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar exhibits remarkable anti-inflammatory properties, which (along with the antifungal properties) help relieve the inflammation and infection associated with tinea versicolor (12).

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8. Aloe Vera

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel

What You Have To Do
  1. Take a tablespoon of aloe vera gel and gently spread it all over the affected area.
  2. Leave it on for about 30 minutes and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this multiple times daily until you notice a difference.

Why This Works

Aloe vera’s healing nature can speed up your recovery. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties that can help you get rid of tinea versicolor (13), (14).

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9. Castor Oil

You Will Need

Castor oil (as required)

What You Have To Do
  1. Take a little castor oil in your hands and apply it all over the discolored skin.
  2. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and wash it off with plain water.
  3. You can also keep the oil on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This

Apply castor oil multiple times on the affected area daily.

Why This Works

The ricinoleic acid (ricinoleate) in castor oil exhibits anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities that help treat tinea versicolor (15), (16).

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10. Epsom Salt

You Will Need
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a cup of Epsom salt to a tub filled with water.
  2. Soak in it for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Pat your skin dry.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

Why This Works

Epsom salt contains magnesium, which helps reduce inflammation. The topical application of Epsom salt helps in treating the inflammatory symptoms of tinea versicolor (17).

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You Will Need
  • A few teaspoons of grapefruit seed extract
  • Cotton pads
What You Have To Do
  1. Dip a cotton pad in a few teaspoons of grapefruit seed extract.
  2. Apply it to the affected skin.
  3. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash it off with plain water.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antifungal remedy that can be used to combat the fungus that causes tinea versicolor (18).

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12. Neem

You Will Need
  • A handful of neem leaves
  • Water
What You Have To Do
  1. Take a handful of neem leaves.
  2. Add water to them and blend.
  3. Apply the neem paste to the affected areas.
  4. Leave it on for about 30 minutes and rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 3 to 4 times daily.

Why This Works

Neem is a popular herbal medicine. It helps reduce inflammation in your skin and fights fungal infections with its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties (19), (20). The topical application of this herb can work wonders in treating tinea versicolor.

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13. Turmeric

You Will Need
  • 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder
  • Water (as required)
What You Have To Do
  1. Take two teaspoons of turmeric powder and add a little water to make a thick paste (not runny).
  2. Apply the paste all over the discolored skin.
  3. Leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes.
  4. Wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this thrice daily.

Why This Works

The main constituent of turmeric is curcumin, which has antifungal as well as anti-inflammatory properties that amazingly work well against tinea versicolor (21), (22).

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14. Candle Bush

You Will Need
  • Candle bush leaves
  • Olive oil (as required)
What You Have To Do
  1. Take a handful of candle bush leaves.
  2. Pour a little olive oil – just enough to make a paste.
  3. Leave the concoction on for about 30 minutes and rinse it off.
  4. You can also apply the candle bush preparation that is readily available in the market for this purpose.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Candle bush leaves contain effective antifungal compounds. Which is why they can be effective against tinea versicolor, as per a study published in Ethnopharmacology in 1994 (23).

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15. Honey

You Will Need

Organic honey (as required)

What You Have To Do
  1. Take some honey and apply it to the affected areas.
  2. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this several times daily.

Why This Works

Given the healing, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties of honey, it is no surprise that it can effectively treat tinea versicolor and its symptoms (24).

Along with these remedies, it is also important to consider altering your diet for treating tinea versicolor and preventing its recurrence.

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Diet Tips

If you are have tinea versicolor, you must pay extra attention to your regular diet. Following are two lists –foods that you must eat more of, and foods that are best avoided when you are suffering from tinea versicolor. Take a look.

What To Eat
  • Probiotic-rich yogurt
  • Low-carb foods like broccoli, green beans, avocados, etc.
  • Protein-rich foods like fish, meat, eggs, and poultry
  • Garlic
What Not To Eat
  • Sugar
  • Alcohol
  • Vinegar
  • Nuts
  • Fruits

You must also make a few changes to your usual lifestyle to assist your recovery. This can be done by simply following these prevention tips.

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Prevention Tips

  • Avoid hot and humid climates.
  • Do not tan or expose yourself to the sun too much.
  • Try and sweat minimally.
  • Do not indulge in intense exercises.
  • Take a bath twice a day.
  • Don’t let sweat dry up on your skin. Wipe it with a handkerchief.

Even if you follow the prevention tips, the chances of recurrence of this condition are high. Hence, you must be at your attentive best and avoid all triggers.

Most of the remedies discussed here are effective in treating cases of tinea versicolor and can be confidently tried at home. Would you like to share any more remedies with us? Get in touch with us via the comments section below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is tinea versicolor the same as vitiligo?

No. Vitiligo is a result of dysfunctionalilty of the cells that produce melanin, while tinea versicolor is a skin condition caused by a yeast fungus called Malassezia.

How long does tinea versicolor last?

In about two weeks, the physical symptoms like scaly and dry skin will be resolved. However, it may take about 6 to 12 months for your normal skin color to be restored.

Which is the best soap for tinea versicolor?

Antifungal soaps (like Naturasil Tinea Versicolor) soap are often recommended for the treatment of tinea versicolor. Zinc pyrithione is another soap used for treating tinea versicolor.

Which antifungal cream is best for tinea versicolor?

Creams containing antifungal ingredients like clotrimazole, miconazole, selenium sulfide, and terbinafine are recommended for the treatment of tinea versicolor. Another popularly used lotion is the one made of selenium disulfide, which is also used as a shampoo, called Selsun Blue. You can also use any of the above remedies if you are looking for natural alternatives.

Does tinea versicolor itch?

Although the discolored skin patches are not contagious or painful, they may become scaly and itchy.

Which area of your body is most affected by tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor can affect any part of your body, but it is most likely to affect your neck, chest, back, and arms.