How to Get Rid of Tinea Corporis Fast
- Ever seen light-colored spots on your back or chest? It might have been tinea versicolor, a relatively common fungal infection
- Tinea versicolor shows up most often during the summer, when sweat and moisture breed yeast on your skin
- While you may not be happy with how it looks, it's usually painless and harmless
- That said, tinea versicolor is prone to spreading, so here's how to stop it in its tracks
Ah, summer: a time for sun, swimming, and showing off lots of skin. Which can suck if your skin isn't clear.
The warmer months may leave you battling a skin condition called tinea versicolor, a fungal infection that "can show up on the skin as flat or slightly raised spots that can be darker or lighter than the normal skin, or pink to red in color," says Steven Daveluy, MD, assistant professor at Wayne State Dermatology. "They can be dry and flaky and they can cause itching, but they usually don't itch."
Also known as pityriasis versicolor, these spots will not tan in the sun, so you may not even notice them until you get a tan and the light spots stick out. The spots start out small, usually on the upper chest, upper back, shoulders and neck. They then grow slowly and develop into larger spots.
So what's the deal with these spots, and how can you get rid of them?
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What causes it
Unlike acne, tinea versicolor is caused by a fungal infection. It's essentially a yeast overgrowth on your skin.
"Tinea versicolor is especially common in the summer months. This particular yeast is called Malassezia, and it usually lives on our skin without any issues. At certain times, though, it can overgrow, especially in hot and humid weather," says Rajani Katta MD, author of Glow: The Dermatologist's Guide to a Whole Foods Younger Skin Diet.
How to treat it
Tinea versicolor can often be cured with over-the-counter products.
"Options include shampoos that contain selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue is a name brand), and anti-fungal creams or ointments containing miconazole, clotrimazole or terbinafine. The shampoo should be left on the skin for at least five minutes before rinsing. Men using the creams or ointments should apply a thin layer once or twice a day for at least 2 weeks," says Dr. Daveluy.
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If your spots don;t improve with treatment after one to two weeks, it's a good idea to see a physician or dermatologist for prescription options, says Evan Rieder, MD, a dermatologist at NYU Langone. The prescription options are similar to the over-the-counter options, including anti-fungal shampoos, creams and ointments.
"In more severe cases, your physician may even prescribe anti-fungal pills to kill the yeast," says Dr. Daveluy.
But even if you get the yeast under control, your spots may still persist. That's why early intervention is crucial if the spots on your back are really bothering you.
"Tinea versicolor can really affect the pigment on the skin, leaving light or dark spots in its wake. These spots can persist even after the yeast has been treated, so it's really something you want to nip in the bud," says Dr. Rieder.
How to prevent it
There are a few things you can do to prevent tinea versicolor. For starters, wear loose-fitting clothing: tight clothes create a breeding ground for yeast, so stick to breathable fabrics, says Dr. Katta. You should also shower immediately after your workout to prevent a sticky, warm space for yeast to grow.
Try to stay out of the sun, but if you must be out in the sun, use sunscreen. "Protect your skin from sunlight, since it makes tinea versicolor more noticeable," says Daveluy. And always keep an anti-fungal shampoo or cream on hand.
"To help prevent the disease from returning, I ask my patients to use their anti-fungal shampoo or cream once or twice a month, especially in the warm months," says Daveluy.
Emily Shiffer Emily Shiffer is a former digital web producer for Men's Health and Prevention, and is currently a freelancer writer specializing in health, weight loss, and fitness.
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How to Get Rid of Tinea Corporis Fast
Source: https://www.menshealth.com/health/a20162005/tinea-versicolor-treatment-causes/
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