Foods to Avoid if You Have Tinea Versicolor
Health ConditionsSkin Conditions

Can Diet Improve Tinea Versicolor?

Can Diet Improve Tinea Versicolor?
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Updated on July 31, 2025
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Tinea versicolor, also known as pityriasis versicolor, is a fungal infection of the skin that interferes with normal skin pigmentation. It causes small, discolored patches.

There’s no diet specific to tinea versicolor. The number of studies on treatments beyond the use of antifungal creams is notably low.

What Causes Tinea Versicolor?

A yeast species known as Malassezia causes tinea versicolor. This yeast is found on everybody’s skin. However, a number of factors can trigger the yeast to grow in excess, including having oily skin, living in a hot and humid climate, and sweating a lot.

Do Certain Foods Make Symptoms Worse?

Evidence on food affecting tinea versicolor is conflicting. As a result, diet is not a well-established intervention.

While your healthcare provider may have dietary suggestions based on anecdotal evidence, you’re unlikely to find food-based treatment plans from organizations like the American Academy of Dermatology.

Strong Theory: Why Dietary Interventions Are Appealing

The well-known statement “you are what you eat” is supported by a great deal of scientific evidence. It makes sense this logic is often applied to treatment of tinea versicolor.

For example, research supports the notion that dietary changes can influence immune function and inflammation,

 both of which have been associated with Malassezia overgrowth.

Additionally, Malassezia relies on sebum, an oily substance produced by the skin,

 for its growth and survival. So, you may find information online suggesting that limiting intake of saturated fats, which increase sebum production (and are Malassezia’s preferred source of fat),

 as well as reducing refined sugar intake, which may also decrease sebum overall,

 are suggested interventions for tinea versicolor.
However, these biological links are largely theoretical. Currently, the only well-established treatments for tinea versicolor are antifungal creams, lotions, and shampoos.

The Takeaway

  • Tinea versicolor results from an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast, which is naturally found on everyone’s skin.
  • While some sources may suggest that avoiding foods like saturated fats and refined sugars can “starve” the yeast and reduce sebum, this link is largely theoretical and not an established medical treatment.
  • The only well-established and proven treatments for tinea versicolor are topical antifungal creams, lotions, and shampoos.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Tinea Versicolor: Signs and Symptoms. American Academy of Dermatology.
  2. Tinea Versicolor: Who Gets and Causes. American Academy of Dermatology.
  3. Tinea Versicolor: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Academy of Dermatology.
  4. Tinea Versicolor. Cleveland Clinic. April 13, 2022.
  5. Munteanu C et al. The relationship between nutrition and the immune system. Frontiers in Nutrition. December 8, 2022.
  6. Piacentini F et al. Seborrheic Dermatitis: Exploring the Complex Interplay with Malassezia. International Journal of Molecular Sciences
    . March 14, 2025.
  7. Sebaceous Glands. Cleveland Clinic. December 14, 2022.
  8. Park M et al. Skin Commensal Fungus Malassezia and Its Lipases. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. January 27, 2021.
  9. Can the right diet get rid of acne? American Academy of Dermatology.
Additional Sources
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Jacquelyn Dosal

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.

Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.

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Angela Dowden

Author

Angela Dowden has over 20 years experience as a health journalist and is a Registered Nutritionist. Her work appears on dailymail.com, lovefood.com and acsh.org, as well as in many print publications.

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