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Pityriasis Versicolor: Clinical Spectrum and Diagnosis

  • Fungal Infections of Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (A Bonifaz, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is caused by the fungus Malassezia, especially by Malassezia globosa. The predisposing factors for PV are heat, humidity, hyperhidrosis, oral contraceptives, stress, application of oily preparations, and treatment with corticosteroids. PV is found mainly on the seborrheic areas of the trunk, shoulders, upper aspects of the arms, and neck, but it may spread to the face, scalp, submammary areas, axillae, groin, skin folds, and buttocks. It is characterized by hyperpigmented, hypopigmented, or erythematous (versicolor), round-to-oval, finely scaling, thin plaques. Other less frequent clinical variants are papular, atrophic, imbricata, and pityriasis rubra pilaris-like presentations. The diagnosis of PV is usually made clinically with the aid of Wood’s light or dermoscopy. Direct microscopic examination, culture, biopsy, and molecular studies are among the laboratory diagnostic methods. Topical therapy is the treatment of choice for most patients. Systemic imidazole therapy is usually reserved for widespread or resistant cases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Panamanian Social Security and San Fernando Clinic, Via España, Panama City, Panama

    Jose Manuel Rios-Yuil

  2. University of Panama, the Latina University of Panama and Inter-American University of Panama, Panama City, Panama

    Jose Manuel Rios-Yuil

  3. The National Research System (SNI) of the SENACYT of Panama, Panama City, Panama

    Jose Manuel Rios-Yuil

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  1. Jose Manuel Rios-Yuil
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Correspondence to Jose Manuel Rios-Yuil.

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Jose Manuel Rios-Yuil declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Fungal Infections of Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue

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Rios-Yuil, J.M. Pityriasis Versicolor: Clinical Spectrum and Diagnosis. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 10, 121–125 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-016-0261-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-016-0261-6

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