Battle with skin fungus can be long one

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Battle with skin fungus can be long one

Dr. G. Donohue

North America Syndicate

Apr. 6, 2004 12:00 AM

QUESTION: For six years, I have had white patches on my skin, mostly

on my back or chest. The doctor tells me I have tinea versicolor. No

medicines have helped. In fact, they seem to make the process spread

and itch. How did I get this and how can I get rid of it?

ANSWER: Tinea versicolor is a common fungal skin infection. It

produces circular white patches of skin that can enlarge and fuse to

form larger patches. The fungus attacks melanocytes, the skin cells

that contain pigment and give skin its color. In winter, the

depigmented patches are barely noticeable on fair-skinned people. In

summer, when unaffected skin tans, then the patches stand out.

How the fungus, pityrosporum (PIT-uh-ross-POUR-um), is picked up is

often unknown. Many people harbor it on their skin without suffering

cosmetic changes. Heat and moisture foster its spread to adjacent

skin.

Two-thirds of those infected have no itching.

The battle with this fungus is a protracted one, and it often recurs.

Medicines are effective if used long enough and used explicitly as

directed. They include 2.5 percent selenium sulfide, ketoconazole and

clotrimazole, and come as liquids, creams or gels. You must

meticulously follow directions on how to apply them.

After application of medicine, it takes months before repigmentation

occurs.

For resistant cases, oral medicines are available.

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