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Pityriasis versicolor –
a recurrent disease that affects only the horny surface of the epidermis. The pathology is called “lichen versicolor” because the spots have colors: yellow, whitish, brown. The skin begins to peel off and spots appear in the summer in children and adults. Residents of countries with high humidity and warm climates are susceptible to pathology.
In Russia, skin formations appear in 15% of the population. These are mainly people from 15 to 40 years old, more often observed in men. Children under 7 years of age rarely get shingles. For treatment, contact a dermatologist at our clinic, he will conduct an examination and prescribe medications that will improve the patient’s condition.
Types of pityriasis versicolor:
- Spotty-flaky. During the period of spread, it affects the body in different places: behind the ears, in the groin areas.
- Erythematosquamous. Often observed in adults and children. The rash is beige or coffee-colored, without inflammation. At first the formations are small, but soon they increase in size. This type appears on the head. It worsens in autumn and spring.
- Follicular. Lesions appear on the legs, back, chest, and arms. The spots spread in the hair follicles, their size is up to 3 mm, and itching is observed. This form can form during antibacterial therapy or the use of steroids in people with diabetes.
- Inverted. Characterized by peeling, itching, redness. This species is not common. When the disease occurs, symptoms are not expressed; spots appear on the head.
If you experience formations on the skin, it is better to seek help from qualified specialists at our clinic. Quickly identifying the disease in its early stages will help prevent its spread.
Symptoms of pityriasis versicolor:
- Formation of pink spots. At first they are single, then they increase in size and merge. Rashes are observed on the stomach, neck, under the hair, on the chest.
- As the disease spreads, they become dark in color. May be red or brown. The colors vary on the affected areas, which is why lichen is called tinea versicolor. In some cases, the formations merge into one whole.
- After a certain time, peeling occurs. The scales resemble bran.
- Itching is observed, but not in all cases.
- After healing, white or light spots remain on the skin; tanning does not affect them; this is caused by cell damage as a result of fungi.
Safety precautions for self-medication
Home treatment of pityriasis versicolor with folk remedies can lead to severe allergic reactions. To avoid them, be sure to do an allergy test before applying any home remedy to your skin. To do this, the composition is spread on the back of the hand. If after 30 minutes there is no negative reaction, you can use it to treat lichen.
When using aggressive agents (vinegar, lemon, boric acid, sulfur ointment), you must ensure that they do not get on healthy areas of the body and mucous membranes. It is also important that homemade formulations do not fall into the hands of children.
Diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor
The disease is diagnosed by a dermatologist. He performs a visual examination of the patient, studies the presence of spots and their distribution, and makes a diagnosis at this stage. If the form of lichen is not pronounced, then the clinic specialist uses the following methods. Using a Wood's lamp, he makes several tests. After highlighting areas of the skin, they may change color to yellow-red or green.
To clarify the diagnosis, laboratory diagnostics will be required. Specialists using special equipment will be able to detect the presence of the disease after additional research.
Differential diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor with other diseases
To make a diagnosis, the doctor performs the following procedures:
- Conducting an examination under a microscope to determine the scraping. The specialist scrapes the scales from the skin area, processes it and examines it. Using a microscope, it is possible to detect spores and fungi that are round in shape. The mycelium threads are white in color and long in shape, like a thread.
- Balzer test. A 5% iodine solution is used, which is applied to or near the infected areas. This study will take time; the affected skin gradually acquires a different color.
Treatment of pityriasis versicolor
The dermatologist prescribes treatment depending on the nature and form of the disease, the characteristics of the lesion, the age of the patient, and the presence of other pathologies. Applies complex treatment, which includes ointments, sprays, creams, shampoos. They consist of components that effectively affect the disease. Depending on the complexity of the pathology, the patient is prescribed tablets. Therapy will help overcome lichen in a short time and eliminate complications.
For treatment, the doctor prescribes ointments that contain terbinafine. Treatment of the affected skin area is prescribed 2 times a day. This substance quickly destroys microbial cells and eliminates the appearance of new formations. Imidazole, clotrimazole and others are effective for treatment. The substances are included in creams and gels. Tolcyclate and ciclopirox are ointments prescribed to ensure that the pathogens quickly die.
When lichen appears in the hair, the doctor prescribes shampoos containing ketoconazole or nizoral. In the initial stages, patients are recommended salicylic and zinc ointments. The products quickly relieve itching. You should not use medications without consulting a specialist. Qualified doctors of our clinic, using modern equipment, will diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment.
A visit to a dermatologist is necessary 21 days after the prescribed treatment. The doctor will assess the patient’s condition, prescribe additional medications and preventive measures, these include physiotherapy and others.
Prevention of pityriasis versicolor
To reduce the disease, preventive measures play an important role. They include regular washing of skin areas, removal of sweat, sebaceous fat, and regular change of bedding and clothing. In hot weather, antifungal shampoos are an excellent method. They will eliminate the occurrence of relapses. The specialist prescribes products for regular hair washing. As a preventive measure, it will take 5 to 7 days to use the drugs. The skin should be wiped with salicylic alcohol every day.
It is better to wash things not with powders, but with soap, adding soda to the water. You can avoid deprivation; for this you need to strengthen your immune system, eat right, and take vitamins once a year. Experts recommend playing sports and taking walks in the fresh air for treatment. In case of illness, it is recommended to include vegetables, herbs, fermented milk products in food, and exclude spicy, sweet and smoked foods.
Gastrointestinal disorders can cause pityriasis versicolor, so you need to undergo a course of treatment.
Diet for lichen
Nutrition during treatment of lichen depends on the type of disease, but there are foods that are equally useful for skin lesions of any type of fungus:
- green vegetables, herbs;
- dairy products;
- breakfast cereals;
- mineral water;
- natural honey;
- foods high in iron.
Pityriasis rosea requires adherence to a dairy-vegetable diet.
For shingles, ringworm, lichen planus and multicolored lichen, it is necessary to enrich the diet:
- foods rich in vitamin E (peanuts, sea buckthorn, rose hips, eel, walnuts, viburnum, sorrel, squid, hazelnuts, prunes, salmon, oatmeal/barley, seeds, vegetable oils);
- products that are sources of antioxidants and bioflavonoids (apples, grapes, apricots, blueberries, cherries, prunes, blueberries, carrots, kiwi, cherries, sweet red peppers, barley, raisins, etc.).
The list of prohibited products for the treatment of any type of lichen includes:
- spices (mustard, pepper, horseradish);
- spicy dishes, pickles;
- alcohol;
- tangerines.
It is necessary to limit consumption:
- offal;
- smoked meats, mushroom and meat broths;
- fatty fish;
- canned food;
- salty and spicy cheeses;
- cream cakes;
- legumes;
- products with preservatives.
Drink coffee, strong black tea and cocoa in small quantities.
Complication of pityriasis versicolor
The pathology affects the upper layer of the skin, but is often severe. It affects internal organs.
In case of severe itching, the patient scratches the severely damaged skin. All this causes discomfort and leads to inflammation, in addition to infectious pathology. Contact a specialist immediately. You can’t just start the disease and start solving the problem. A specialist will help and prescribe medications to improve the condition.
If the disease returns after all measures, we recommend that you undergo examination by our specialists.
Why is lichen dangerous?
The harm that lichen can cause to health depends on its type. Pityriasis rosea always occurs without complications. The prognosis of the disease is favorable for ability to work and health.
Shingles is more dangerous. It can lead to:
- decreased motor activity in the limbs;
- partial loss of sensation in the limbs;
- inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord/brain (encephalitis, meningitis);
- viral damage to the lungs and liver;
- the addition of a secondary infection;
- inflammation of the cornea, eyeball, loss of vision.
The most common consequence of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This disease develops after an illness and is manifested by severe pain. Only after a few months the pain goes away.
Pityriasis versicolor and ringworm can lead to a secondary infection. This makes the treatment process more complicated and requires the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Trichophytosis can also lead to the formation of bald patches that will last a lifetime.
Complications of lichen planus include:
- addition of bacterial infections;
- inflammation of the oral mucosa.
Pityriasis versicolor in children
The disease is not typical for children under 6 years of age. During this period, the skin has protection mechanisms that prevent the dermis from being exposed to moisture and high temperatures. However, if caring for the baby is not correct, parents lubricate the skin with oils: shea butter, cocoa, then this disrupts the functioning of the defense mechanisms. For this reason, the disease appears in preschool age.
In children during the prepubertal period, hormonal changes begin in the body. The skin is very sensitive to high humidity and exposure to the sun, like adults. Thanks to changes, fungi can provoke the appearance of disease.
Ringworm in children occurs with the same symptoms as in adults. The treatment is no different. If redness appears, it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will conduct an examination and prescribe a drug that is suitable for the child’s age. It is not recommended to use the products without the advice of a specialist, as this can lead to negative consequences.
What is lichen?
Ringworm is a group of dermatological polyetiological diseases, which is characterized by the appearance of a rash and itchy dry/weeping elements. There are several varieties of lichen, which differ from each other in:
- the type of rash present;
- pathogen;
- contagiousness;
- localization.
Among the most common types of lichen in humans:
- multi-colored (pityriasis);
- encircling;
- red flat;
- ringworm (trichophytosis);
- pink (pityriasis).
The course of the disease is long. There is always a danger of secondary infection.
Pityriasis versicolor during pregnancy
As a result of hormonal changes, the appearance of pathology is possible, but it does not harm the mother and fetus. The disease causes discomfort, but self-medication and folk remedies are unacceptable. If pathology appears, contact a dermatologist, he will choose treatment and, if necessary, prescribe diagnostics. Pregnant women are prescribed therapy for ringworm, taking into account the danger of the situation.
The doctor prescribes drugs that do not enter the bloodstream, does not prescribe anti-fungal tablets, they are toxic and harmful to the unborn child. Nizoral is prescribed; it is not recommended to use the medicine without a prescription.
Many dermatologists advise delaying the full course of treatment until after the baby is born. The fungus is not harmful to the fetus and will not affect its development. Oral medications are prohibited during breastfeeding, as they can pass into the milk and harm the baby's health.
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General recommendations for using home remedies
If you choose one remedy or another on your own, recovery will take a long time. To activate the exfoliation process, you must regularly use antifungal agents prescribed by your doctor, take baths with soap, and wipe your body with salicylic alcohol.
Treatment of lichen versicolor at home should be carried out after consulting a dermatologist.
In addition to official medicine and traditional methods of treating fungus, certain recommendations must be followed:
- Maintain a proper balanced diet. Avoid sweets, salty, fried, spicy and smoked foods.
- Take sunbathing in moderation if the disease is diagnosed in the warm season.
- Maintain personal hygiene.
- Iron underwear and bed linen, preferably with a steam iron.
- Wear underwear only made from natural fabrics.
- Avoid excessive sweating.
- Ventilate the room more often and wet clean the room.
