tinea versicolor - discoloration not going away

[Amy83123]

Hi,  I was told by multiple dermatologists that I no longer have tinea versicolor and that sometimes it will take a while for the discoloration to disappear.  I still have the white spots all over my body, and it's more than 1.5 years. I've tried bleaching cream and that didn't work.  I did some research online on how to get rid of the discoloration but the results were contradicting.  Some say the discoloration will go away after I expose myself to the sun and some say to stay away from the sun because it will make the discoloration more prominent.  My question is since I no longer have tinea versicolor, will exposing myself to the sun make the discoloration better or worse?

Thanks.

[feefs2017]

Hi Amy, I have exactly the same problem as you had and was wondering if you found a solution. My whole back has the spots and the dermatologist said the same thing they said to you. I've been trying everything for years.

I don't want to just accept that there is no solution and my whole back will be like this forever.

I hope you were able to fix your problem.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[KMcK16602]

May need tx once or twice a year or less.

[KMcK16602]

Just so you are aware, Tinea versicolor is an overgrowth of normal flora fungus of the skin. It is easily diagnosed by a black light in a dark room, as fungus will fluoresce. Additionally, this can be treated by antifungal creams, but by mouth antifungals are better if your liver enzymes are ok. Go see your PCP.

Kevin Edward McKinney, RN, BSN, CRNP-s

[KMcK16602]

Also, once you kill the fungal overgrowth, u will tan again normally.

[Jevaune]

Why doctors don't no the real cause of tinea versicolor I really need help to get this thing off my skin am confused am stress out to how it take over my body even stop go out side am 17 I use to do track and field but from them here come on my skin I never touch back the track I really need help anyone out there can help me please I try a lot of stuff no doctor can help me I need real help.

[Durk123]

Iam I  the same problem I spend a lot of money on medication  and it's not helping in fact it's spreading

[AmandaGC]

Your diet has a lot to do with it as well.  I did a lot of research as far as foods to eat/not eat and vitamin deficiencies related to Tinea.  I went to the Candida Diet and started taking Juice+ supplements and my Tinea cleared right up.

[Jevaune]

I have tinea versicolor for 3 years I try everything nothing work I wonder if laser surgery will work cause I see laser surgery remove acne off a man face and I see it remove scar I wonder if it will work.

[songbird1883]

Hi! I have a faded bruise on my calf just below the knee from a hard fall back in 2008. It is still there and I've been told by my dermatologist that because I was taking Minocycline at the time for some acne that was the reason it caused the bruise to never heal, thus causing it to have a faded blue color. Every time I look down at my leg I see it and it bugs me to death. My dermatologist says there is no laser treatment available to help change the color back to normal. I've tried Arnica gel and using a massager on it to try and loosen things up and none of that has worked. I even asked a plastic surgeon if he'd be willing to cut the large spot out because I'd rather have a thin scar line instead of a big faded blue spot on my leg. He refused saying it would be an unnecessary trauma to the leg which I totally understood. Surely there is something that can help get rid of this old faded bruise I've had since 2008. Laser? Retin-A gel? I would love your advice. I've asked multiple doctors in addition to my dermatologist and I just can't swallow the fact that this is permanent and I just have to live with it. Surely there is something I could try to help with the discoloration.

[Cfew]

I totally understand! I had to tell the esthetician at the plastic surgeons office today what tinea versicolor is.  She had never heard of it & kept claiming it was due to pregnancy even though I had it way before I was pregnant!!!  I too have struggled with this for almost 10 years now & am way frustrated.  The next step is laser treatments to try to blend the lighter spots with my regular skin.  Hoping it will finally work as I am tired of wearing tons of makeup.

[Rhumphrey283]

Hey Amy. I just wanted to comment on your reply. I have had a weird rash for the last year which resulted in hypo pigmentation patches all over my body. After a skin biopsy was told that I had a fungus infection. I understand your frustration, sun or no sun? I really hate when I research and the number one thing is to consult a dermatologist or a Dr. Well what do you do when you've done that already. I'm loosing count of how many Drs. I've seen about this issue. They guess and send you on your way. Please stop saying consult a dermatologist/Dr. because a lot of times we go to these appointments with more knowledge about an undiagnosed issue than they do. Very Sad. I'm sorry I just had to event. Please share any info if you learn about how to RECOVER from tinea versicolor.

[jojo808]

Did you ever figure out how to get rid of the discoloration? I had Tinea Versicolor too and it is taking forever for the discoloration to go away?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The symptoms can be due to post inflammatory hypopigmentation. Unfortunately, for such kind of scars , laser treatment is the only successful method available. Please discuss it with a cosmetologist.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[Amy83123]

Hi Dr. Kaur,
  I actually saw four dermatologists already.  I've used 2% Ketoconazole shampoo, selsun blue, and selenium sul lotion 2.5%.  I also tried bleaching cream (hydroquinone usp 4%) and that didn't seem to work.  The last two dermatologists told me I don't have the fungus anymore and that the hypopigmentation will take a longer time to go away.

It's been more than 1.5 years and the hypopigmentation is still here.  I'm considering trying Retin-A Micro .1% since that is supposed to help new skin growth.

I understand that if I still had the fungus, exposing my skin to the sun will only make it worse.

But back to my original question, since I no longer have the fungus, will exposing my skin to the sun help reduce the hypopigmentation?


Thanks,
Amy83123

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that lives in the skin of almost all adults. Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visible include high humidity and immune or hormone abnormalities. To treat this hypopigmentation, you need to apply topical antifungals. My advice would be to consult a dermatologist and get them prescribed.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.