Tinea Versicolor.
(Synonyms: Pityriasis Versicolor; Chromophytosis.)
What is tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor is a vegetable-parasitic disease of the skin, characterized by variously-sized and shaped, slightly scaly, macular patches of a yellowish-fawn color, and occurring for the most part upon the upper portion of the trunk.
Describe the symptoms of tinea versicolor.
The disease begins as one or more yellowish macular points; these, in the course of weeks or months, gradually extend, and, together with other patches that arise, may form a more or less continuous sheet of eruption. There is slight scaliness, always insignificant and furfuraceous in character, and at times, except upon close inspection, scarcely perceptible. The color of the patches is pale or brownish-yellow; in rare instances, in those of delicate skin, there may be more or less hyperæmia, and in consequence the eruption is of a reddish tinge. The number of patches varies; there may be but a few, or, on the other hand, a profusion. Slight itching, especially when the parts are warm, is usually present.
Does the eruption of tinea versicolor show predilection for any special region?
Yes; the upper part of the trunk, especially anteriorly, is the usual seat of the eruption, but in exceptional instances the neck, axillæ, the arms, the whole trunk, the genitocrural region and poplitea, and in rare cases even the lower part of the face, may become invaded.
What course does tinea versicolor pursue?
Persistent, but somewhat variable; as a rule, however, slowly progressive and lasting for years.