What does pityriasis versicolor look like?

Pityriasis versicolor (pit-uh-RYE-uh-sis vur-si-KUL-ur) skin patches usually are on the torso and upper arms. But they can also appear on the face and neck, especially in younger kids. The patches can be white, brown, red, or pink. The patches are dry, flaky, or scaly, and can be flat or slightly raised.

What yeast causes pityriasis versicolor?

Why it happens. Pityriasis versicolor is caused by a type of yeast called Malassezia. This yeast is found on the skin of more than 90% of adults, where it normally lives without causing any problems.

What is the difference between tinea versicolor and pityriasis versicolor?

Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection that causes small patches of discolored spots on your skin. It’s also called pityriasis versicolor. It results from a type of yeast that naturally lives on your skin. When the yeast grows out of control, the skin disease, which appears as a rash, is the result.

How do you describe pityriasis versicolor?

Pityriasis versicolor, also known as tinea versicolor, is a common, benign, superficial fungal infection of the skin. Clinical features of pityriasis versicolor include either hyperpigmented or hypopigmented finely scaled macules. The most frequently affected sites are the trunk, neck, and proximal extremities.

Can malassezia cause hyperpigmentation?

In turn, the species of Malassezia yeasts has not a decisive effect on the difference in skin color between hyperpigmented and hypopigmented lesions, but according to the reported literatures, the interactions between Malassezia yeasts and skin barrier materials, which makes lipoperoxidation causing hypopigmentation or …

Can Malassezia cause hyperpigmentation?

Is Malassezia a yeast?

Introduction. Yeasts of the genus, Malassezia, formerly known as Pityrosporum, are lipophilic yeasts, which are a part of the normal skin flora (microbiome).

Why does pityriasis versicolor cause hyperpigmentation?

Skin pigmentary changes of pityriasis versicolor may occur as either hyperpigmented or hypopigmented lesions, depending on the outcome of interactions between Malassezia yeasts and the skin, such as lipoperoxidation process, stimulus of inflammatory cell to melanocytes, and increased thickness of keratin layer.