What Is Tinea Versicolor? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Updated on September 11, 2025
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The thought of the fungus Malassezia furfur living on you might make your skin crawl, but the fact of the matter is, it’s normal — and often unnoticeable. Sometimes, however, it can grow out of control and cause a harmless rash that shows up as small white patches.
Tinea versicolor, which is also known as pityriasis versicolor, is more common in young adults and in hot and humid climates.
Signs and Symptoms of Tinea Versicolor
The primary symptoms of tinea versicolor are scaly spots or patches on the skin. These patches are typically white and oval-shaped, though they can also be dark or reddish tan in color. On darker skin tones, the patches often appear lighter than surrounding skin.
Tinea versicolor patches occur most often on the shoulders, neck, and trunk (the central region of the body), but they can appear in other areas, as well. Rarely, patches can show up on the face.
The patches often have sharp borders or edges, and can look different in the sunlight. They also typically have a very fine scale that becomes more noticeable with gentle rubbing.
As the rest of your skin tans and darkens, the patches become more visible.
These spots can come and go, especially as seasons change and outside temperatures fluctuate. The spots may be more noticeable when the weather is hot and humid (as in summer) and may be less noticeable or even disappear in fall and winter. The condition is more common in people who exercise.
These other symptoms may also appear:
- Itching
- Scaling of the skin
- Increased sweating
Causes and Risk Factors of Tinea Versicolor
An increase of sebum likely creates an environment for the fungus that causes tinea versicolor to thrive.
Other conditions may also contribute to tinea versicolor, explains Ife Rodney, MD, a dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland. Hormonal changes, particularly those that occur during pregnancy, and a weakened immune system can increase the risk of tinea versicolor. When the skin is sweaty, warm, or moist, the yeast can overgrow, resulting in slightly scaly light or dark oval patches usually on the back, neck, or chest.
How Is Tinea Versicolor Diagnosed?
Often, doctors can diagnose tinea versicolor by examining discolored patches on the skin. To confirm a diagnosis, your doctor can scrape off a piece of the affected skin and examine it for yeast cells under a microscope.
Your doctor can also use ultraviolet light (UV) to confirm a diagnosis of tinea versicolor. If you have this skin condition, the affected skin will appear as a yellowish-green color under UV light.
Treatment and Medication Options for Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor is generally easy to treat and many options are available.
Medication Options
Your doctor may suggest one of these over-the-counter antifungal creams, lotions, ointment, or shampoos as a first-line therapy:
- clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF, Mycelex) cream or lotion
- miconazole (Monistat, M-Zole) cream
- selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue) 1 percent shampoo
- terbinafine (Lamisil) gel or cream
- zinc pyrithione (Head & Shoulders)
If they don’t work, you may need one of these prescription-strength topical remedies:
- ciclopirox (Loprox, Penlac) gel, lotion, or cream
- ketoconazole (Nizoral) foam, cream, gel, or shampoo
- selenium sulfide in 2.5 percent lotion or shampoo
A doctor may prescribe an oral medicine if topical medications do not work. You might receive oral medication when the fungus covers a large area of your body or frequently returns. However, tablets are rarely needed to treat tinea versicolor. Commonly used oral medicines include these drugs:
- fluconazole (Diflucan) tablets
- itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) capsules or tablets
Light Therapy
Photo therapy, also called light therapy, may help with tinea versicolor, too, according to some research. In one study, 66 percent of participants diagnosed with tinea versicolor reported decreased itching, hyperpigmentation, and scaling when treated with narrow-band UV-B phototherapy three times weekly. Researchers believe the UV-B light helps inhibit the growth of the fungus Malassezia furfur.
Prevention of Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor can return after treatment. To reduce the chances of a recurrence, your doctor may recommend using a topical once a month or more often.
Some doctors also suggest using a medicated cleanser once a week — especially if you live in a warm, humid location — to prevent the yeast from growing excessively again.
Lifestyle Changes for Tinea Versicolor
To manage and prevent tinea versicolor, several lifestyle changes can help, including limiting the use of oily skin care products, wearing loose clothing, and minimizing time in hot and humid environments.
A tan can make the condition more noticeable, so protecting your skin from the sun can give the appearance of an even skin tone. Use sunscreen daily, at least SPF 30 or higher, and don’t use tanning beds.
Duration of Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor doesn’t usually go away on its own, so treatment is often necessary. The duration of treatment varies from person to person. Once treatment begins, it might take one to four weeks to inhibit the growth of the fungus.
Most people clear the infection with antifungal treatment. Understand, though, that these infections often recur, especially in those who live in warm, humid climates. Some people periodically use antifungal creams and lotions to prevent future rashes.
Complications of Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor doesn’t cause any serious complications. But the skin may become discolored, scaly, and itchy, explains Dr. Rodney, adding that even after treatment, it can take months for skin color to return to normal.
Research and Statistics: Who Has Tinea Versicolor and How Common Is It?
Up to 50 percent of people living in certain tropical areas have reported this skin infection. In countries with cooler temperatures such as Sweden only about 1 percent of residents are affected.
Teens and young adults are more likely to get a tinea versicolor infection than older or younger individuals, but it can occur in anyone. Both genders are affected.
Related Conditions and Causes of Versicolor
The risk of infection is higher in those who have a weakened immune system. These conditions can trigger tinea versicolor:
- Diabetes
- HIV infection
- Cancer
- Pregnancy
- Malnutrition
- Having an organ transplant
Taking a corticosteroid also makes you susceptible to tinea versicolor, as they can increase fungal growth.
The Takeaway
- Tinea versicolor is a common skin condition that results in scaly patches on your skin.
- The condition, caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur, can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams or prescription treatments.
- To prevent a recurrence, a physician may recommend occasionally using topical or oral antifungal treatments or medicated cleansers.
Common Questions & Answers
What triggers tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor occurs from an overgrowth of fungus that normally lives on the skin. Factors that contribute to the overgrowth include a humid environment, oily skin, hormonal changes, and a weakened immune system.
How do you get rid of tinea versicolor?
Using antifungal creams, shampoos, soaps, and lotions can stop the fungus overgrowth and get rid of tinea versicolor. If symptoms don’t respond to topical treatments, a dermatologist can prescribe an oral antifungal to try to get rid of the fungus.
What does tinea versicolor look like?
Tinea versicolor causes white, pink, or brown skin patches. These patches are often dry and scaly, and they typically appear on the shoulders, upper back, neck, and chest.
How long does tinea versicolor take to go away?
The duration of tinea versicolor varies from person to person. On average, treatment takes about one to four weeks. But in some cases, as with hypopigmentation (white patches), it can take weeks or months for skin color to return to normal.
What happens if tinea versicolor is left untreated?
If left untreated, tinea versicolor doesn’t cause any serious complications. Yet you might experience worsening symptoms, such as increased itching or discoloration. Be sure to see a dermatologist if this happens.
Resources We Trust
- Mayo Clinic: Tinea Versicolor
- Cleveland Clinic: Tinea Versicolor
- American Academy of Dermatology: Tinea Versicolor: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Cedars-Sinai: Tinea Versicolor (Pityriasis Versicolor)
- Drugs in Context: Tinea Versicolor: An Updated Review
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
- Tinea Versicolor. Mayo Clinic. July 13, 2024.
- Tinea Versicolor. Cleveland Clinic. April 13, 2022.
- Tinea Versicolor: Tips for Managing. American Academy of Dermatology.
- Overview: Tinea Versicolor. InformedHealth.org. April 16, 2025.
- Tinea Versicolor. StatPearls. Karray M et al.
- Tinea Versicolor: Diagnosis and Treatment. American Academy of Dermatology.
- Tinea Versicolor: Diagnosis & Treatment. Mayo Clinic. July 13, 2024.
- Balevi A et al. Narrow-Band UV-B Phototherapy: An Effective and Reliable Treatment Alternative for Extensive and Recurrent Pityriasis Versicolor. The Journal of Dermatological Treatment. November 9, 2017.
Meet Our Experts
Jane Yoo, MD, MPP
Medical Reviewer
Dr. Jane Yoo is an internationally recognized Korean American dual board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon practicing in New York City. She graduated with a bachelor of science in biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and obtained a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University.
Yoo completed her dermatology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine followed by a Mohs Micrographic Surgery fellowship at Yale School of Medicine. She is the founder of the Clinical Research Center of New York and conducts clinical trials for numerous skincare, pharmaceutical, and energy-based device companies.
As a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation, she is a staunch advocate for skin cancer prevention and lobbying for better sunscreen regulation in the United States. She's also an Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher and is currently training for the Sydney Marathon.
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Valencia Higuera is a writer and digital creator from Chesapeake, Virginia. As a personal finance and health junkie, she enjoys all things related to budgeting, saving money, fitness, and healthy living. In addition to Everyday Health, Higuera has written for various publications, including Healthline, GOBankingRates, MyBankTracker, and The Mortgage Reports.