Tinea Versicolor

I am a 20 year old male in good condition, except for one minor condition.  I have a "rash" on by back, shoulders, chest, face and even my hands.  The rash started while I was working as a life guard for a youthcamp.  The rash started on my back and later spread to my hands.  Then finally, in the past few weeks, spread to my face and chest.  The rashes in each spot are identicle.  I thought emediately that is was a fungus.  
  I am farely tan and the rashes are white in color.  It very widespread on my back, covering most of it, and in only small patches on my face and chest. It lookes to be gone on my hands.
  I did some research on the internet and found some information on Tinea Versicolor. The pictures of the rashes on the internet are identicle, as far as I can tell. The discription of how it came about and the fact that my girlfriend doesn't have it, fits.  But what is odd is that I have rashes on my face and the fact that mine itch constantly and furiously.  The skin feels dry and harsh to the touch.  I feel that if I move, in such a way as to stretch the skin, it would crack.  At times it almost burns but rarely ever gets red in color.  
  I can deal with that though.  The thing that gets to me is the fact that these web sites say that it is farely quick and simple to cure.  But I've tried several over the counter antifunguls for perscribed amout of time and even a little  longer then they perscribe and still no affect. I've used terbinofine, clotrimazole, butenifine, and tolnaftate as directed and nothing. The only thing these seem to do is relieve the drying enough to get by.  I was wondering if using these antifungals was doing anything.
  I don't have any insurance and don't have enough money to go to a dermatologist and was wondering if you could at lest point me in the right direction until I can get enough money to pay for a visit to the doctor.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you have eczema, not tinea versicolor.  Eczema itches and feels dry and tight, and also affects the face.  None of these is true for tinea versicolor.

I don't think the fungus creams are doing you either good or bad.  I advise you to try OTC 1% hydrocortisone twice a day until you gat the means you need to see a doctor.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[jannov]

Dear,
I