tinea versicolor - discoloration not going away

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.

[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.

[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,

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.

[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?