Pityriasis versicolor

There are over a thousand entities in dermatology; it is difficult to understand all in just a few pages. We are going to describe a few common skin problems. This is purely educational; if you have a skin disease, please consult your dermatologist.

Pityriasis versicolor (Superficial skin yeast infection)

This happens when our skin is infected by a yeast. It is often seen in young people. This yeast is a commensal normally found on our skin, but it may breach our skin protective barrier at times and cause problems.

Hong Kong has a hot and humid climate, and it is particularly this sort of environment the yeast likes to thrive. Pityriasis versicolor may have different appearances. They usually appear as light-coloured multiple amall spots on our skin, and may coalesce to form a much bigger area. We often notice them after sunbathing, when the affected spots do not tan with the rest of our skin, making them stand out easily.

Using Wood’s lamp, we can demonstrate their presence as they turn a fluorescent orange colour. Treatment includes topical medication, oral medication and body wash. The hypopigmented area may take 2 months to return to a healthy colour.