Tinea versicolor

Date Updated: 08/11/2025

Overview

Tinea versicolor (TIN-ee-uh vur-si-KUL-ur) is a common skin infection caused by a fungus. The fungus causes patchy changes in skin color. The affected skin may look lighter or darker than the healthy skin. This condition usually forms on the middle of the body and the shoulders.

Tinea versicolor is most common in teens and young adults. Sun exposure may make the skin changes more visible because they do not tan. The condition isn't painful or contagious. It's also called pityriasis versicolor.

Treatment involves antifungal creams, lotions or shampoos. Skin color may remain uneven for several weeks or months. Tinea versicolor often returns, especially in warm, humid weather.

Symptoms

Tinea versicolor symptoms include:

Patches of skin that are lighter or darker than surrounding skin. The skin color changes usually appear on the back, chest, neck and upper arms.
Mild itchiness.
Scaly skin.

When to see a doctor

See a healthcare professional if:

Your skin doesn't improve with self-care measures.
The fungal infection returns.
The patches cover large areas of your body.

Causes

Tinea versicolor is caused by a yeast (fungus) that’s found on healthy skin. It causes symptoms when the fungus overgrows.

Risk factors

Risk factors for tinea versicolor include:

Living in hot, humid weather.
Having oily skin.
Experiencing changes in hormone levels.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare professional can likely diagnose tinea versicolor by looking at the affected skin. They may take a skin scrapping to look for fungus under the microscope. The skin-scrapping test is a quick, painless, in-office procedure. If there's any doubt, you may need a skin biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab.

Treatment

Treatment for tinea versicolor usually starts with nonprescription medicine to kill the fungus. If it’s not effective, you may need a prescription-strength medicine to kill the fungus. Some of these medicines are applied to the skin. Others are pills taken by mouth. Examples include:

Ketoconazole (Ketozole, others) cream or shampoo.
Ciclopirox (Loprox, others) cream, gel or shampoo.
Fluconazole (Diflucan) tablets or oral solution.
Itraconazole (Sporanox, others) capsules or oral solution.
Selenium sulfide 2.5% lotion or shampoo.

It can take several weeks or months for your skin color to even out. The infection may return in hot, humid weather. In you get tinea versicolor often, your healthcare professional may suggest that you take a medicine once or twice a month to prevent the infection.

Self care

For a mild case of tinea versicolor, you can apply a nonprescription medicated lotion, cream, soap or shampoo. Most fungal infections respond well to these products. Examples are:

Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) cream, lotion or topical solution.
Selenium sulfide 1% shampoo.
Terbinafine (Lamisil) cream.
Zinc pyrithione soap.

If you don't see an improvement after four weeks, see your healthcare professional. You may need stronger medicine.

It also helps to protect your skin from the sun and artificial sources of UV light. Usually, the color of the affected skin evens out with time.

Tinea versicolor can come back, especially during warm and humid months. You can take steps to help prevent the condition from returning:

Take a shower after exercise or other activities that make you sweat.
Use loose-fitting cotton clothes when the conditions are hot and humid.
Avoid using personal care products that make your skin oil.
Ask you healthcare professional about using medicine to prevent the condition from returning.

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by first seeing your primary care professional. Or you may be referred to a specialist in skin disorders. This type of doctor is called a dermatologist.

What you can do

Preparing a list of questions beforehand can help you make the most of your time with your healthcare professional. For tinea versicolor, some basic questions to ask include:

How did I get tinea versicolor?
What are other possible causes?
Do I need any tests?
Is tinea versicolor temporary or long lasting?
What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
What side effects can I expect from treatment?
How long will it take for my skin to return to its usual color?
Can I do anything to help, such as avoid the sun at certain times or wear a specific sunscreen?
I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
Do you have brochures or other printed material I can take home? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you a few questions, such as:

How long have you had these discolored areas on your skin?
Have your symptoms been nonstop or do they come and go?
Have you had this or a similar condition in the past?
Do the affected areas itch?
Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?