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ALL / Dermatology
Pityriasis versicolor
Pityriasis versicolor
Pityriasis versicolor, also called tinea versicolor, is a superficial cutaneous fungal infection caused by Malassezia furfur (formerly termed Pityrosporum ovale)Features
- most commonly affects trunk
- patches may be hypopigmented, pink or brown (hence versicolor). May be more noticeable following a suntan
- scale is common
- mild pruritus
Pityriasis versicolor, hyperpigmented type
Predisposing factors
- occurs in healthy individuals
- immunosuppression
- malnutrition
- Cushing's
Management
- topical antifungal. NICE advises ketoconazole shampoo as this is more cost effective for large areas
- if failure to respond to topical treatment then consider alternative diagnoses (e.g. send scrapings to confirm the diagnosis) + oral itraconazole
+PassMedicine Notes
Pityriasis versicolor, also called tinea versicolor, is a superficial cutaneous fungal infection caused by Malassezia furfur (formerly termed Pityrosporum ovale)
Features- most commonly affects trunk
- patches may be hypopigmented, pink or brown (hence versicolor). May be more noticeable following a suntan
- scale is common
- mild pruritus
- occurs in healthy individuals
- immunosuppression
- malnutrition
- Cushing's
- topical antifungal. NICE advises ketoconazole shampoo as this is more cost effective for large areas
- if failure to respond to topical treatment then consider alternative diagnoses (e.g. send scrapings to confirm the diagnosis) + oral itraconazole