The pityriasis versicolor (PA) is an infection of the superficial layers of the skin. The patient is bothered by the uneven coloring of the skin and scaling of the lesions, an ugly combination. The infection is caused by a yeast, that free rides to normal in a small number of the skin, especially on oily areas of the neck, upper chest, back, scalp.

What It Looks Like And How To Recognize The Disease?

We observe small and scaly patches in a variety of colors (hence the “ποικιλόχρους”) from white, until brown and red. The fungus destroys the melanocytes and thus discolor the skin. As the person tans in the sun, the spots become more apparent, especially in the dark people. When the spots appear on the face and neck, it is very unsightly.

What Are The Symptoms?

The disease is asymptomatic, but sometimes, intense sweating that the patient is warm, make itching.

Who Might Be Infected?

The vast majority of patients are adolescents and young adults. It's very rare in the elderly and unusual in children, in addition to the tropical climates, where any age can be infected. Also, people with oily skin may be more sensitive than those with dry skin.

Why Some People Become Ill And Others Don't?

The reasons for this have not been clarified. Since the fungus is present in small numbers in the skin of all of us, anyone can make herself ill. The yeast grows slowly in the skin. The normal washing and cleaning remove the fungus along with the dead επιδερμιδικά cells. The ideal conditions for the excessive growth of fungi is the heat and humidity. Typically required, and a special predisposition of the individual. In such individuals, therefore, as soon as the fungi find a suitable environment with increased temperature and moisture to multiply and cause damage. Such conditions exist as one can imagine in the summer (heat – sweat – increased humidity), and in the winter in certain situations (a προδιατεθειμένο person passing 2-3 days a flu had a high fever and sweating all the time and therefore to show damages) or in people who exercise constantly.
That's why in tropical climates, the lesions in some individuals appear throughout the year, while in temperate climates usually in the spring and summer.

How Is The Diagnosis Made?

The diagnosis is usually made easily by a dermatologist. Light-colored or dark spots but can sometimes look like other skin diseases.
In difficult cases it may be recommended and a mycological examination.

How Is The Disease?

The treatment is easy and is based in formulations that are applied locally or in pills. But always you should keep in mind that even after the treatment may remain white spots, due to the fact that the fungus can be killed, but the αχρωμία that caused it remains the only one who can restore the color to normal, is the sun.
Another one that you have to keep in mind is that the relapses are frequent. A lot of people make their damage despite successful treatments. Ask your dermatologist to recommend some special soap for these cases.
In severe cases he needs oral therapy with a drug called itraconazole. Of course you have to take it only after the advice of a specialist.