To what is tinea versicolor due?
To a vegetable fungus—the microsporon furfur. The affection is tolerably common, and occurs in all parts of the world. With rare exceptions, it is a disease of adults, and while looked upon as contagious, must be so to an extremely slight degree.
Fig. 73.
Microsporon Furfur x 400. (After Duhring.)
Showing mycelium in various stages of development, groups of spores and free spores.
What is the pathology?
The fungus, consisting of mycelium and spores, the latter showing a marked tendency to aggregate, invades the superficial portion of the epidermis.
Is tinea versicolor readily diagnosticated?
Yes; if the color, peculiar characters and distribution of the eruption are kept in mind.
It is not to be confounded with vitiligo, chloasma, or the macular syphiloderm. If in doubt, have recourse to the microscope.