Pityriasis versicolor is a dermatological pathology in which only the top layer of the skin is damaged. This disease is also known under a different name - pityriasis versicolor, and in the people it is also called a solar fungus. And all because pathological changes in the skin, as a rule, occur in hot climates after prolonged exposure to the sun.
Description
Pityriasis versicolor appears due to a common fungal infection. And it usually provokes hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands. But the list of causes of pathology does not end there.
Is versicolor contagious? One of the main features of this disease is the absence of accompanying inflammation and minimal infection. The causative agent of multi-colored lichen is an opportunistic fungus that exists in three forms: oval, round and mycelial. It is noteworthy that all these forms are able to change, replacing each other.
Features
Yeast fungus in any form is always present on the skin of every person, but becomes active only under certain, positive conditions for it. He canbe transmitted through close contact with another person. However, this does not mean that the infected will certainly get sick. After all, this requires the creation of appropriate conditions, which only under certain circumstances trigger the mechanism of infection.
External causes of disease
Pityriasis versicolor occurs due to the influence of many different factors, which are external and internal.
Exogenous prerequisites for the development of pathology:
- skin irritation caused by wearing too tight, tight-fitting synthetic clothing, for the same reason, blood flow and full lymphatic drainage may also be disturbed;
- addiction to various bad habits, including tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse;
- arbitrary intake of certain medications - antibiotics, oral contraceptives, anti-inflammatory drugs;
- regular use of antibacterial agents that dry out the skin - shampoo, gel or soap;
- too long exposure to the sun;
- constant stress and nervous tension.
Internal prerequisites for the development of pathology
Endogenous causes of tinea versicolor:
- hereditary predisposition;
- permanent infectious foci in the form of tonsillitis, caries, pyelonephritis;
- decrease in the protective properties of the immune system;
- pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
- all kinds of diseases of the nervous and endocrine system, tofor example, vegetovascular dystonia or diabetes mellitus;
- oily skin and predisposition to dermatological mycosis;
- excessive sweating;
- overweight;
- diseases of the respiratory system in the form of tuberculosis, pneumonia or asthma;
- hormonal disruptions caused by diseases of the internal organs, pregnancy or menopause.
Pityriasis versicolor is extremely rare in young children under the age of seven and in the elderly. But the peak of the disease occurs in adolescents, who often experience hormonal disorders, and sweat production is activated.
Fungal infections are common in people with weak immune systems. That is why the high-risk group also includes patients who have survived major operations, those with immunodeficiency problems and patients of the oncology department.
Signs of multicolored lichen and clinical picture
The fungus may not manifest itself for a long time, as it is activated only under the influence of provoking conditions. The incubation period of pathology lasts from two weeks to several months. During all this time, pathogens are localized on human skin and constantly grow, multiplying only under the influence of favorable factors.
What does versicolor look like? In the initial stages of the disease, small yellowish-brown spots appear on the skin with clear outlines and asymmetrical arrangement. In some cases, their color becomes brown and even resembles a coffee shade,thanks to which, by the way, this lichen got its name. Its occurrence does not cause any discomfort or discomfort to the patient: there is no itching, no irritation, no inflammation.
Most often, versicolor versicolor in humans is localized on the shoulders, back, chest, neck, armpits. As the pathology develops, the spots spread and are able to merge together, thus forming extensive foci. Although this is not necessary at all - lichen can exist in isolation.
The disease does not cause severe inconvenience, is not accompanied by terrible itching, inflammation or skin irritation. Patients notice only insignificant peeling of damaged areas, which is explained by loosening of the upper layer of the dermis.
Symptoms
The course of the pathology is often accompanied by severe sweating, which may cause slight itching. The disease has a chronic form and, as a rule, torments the patient for years, reminding of itself with periodic relapses even after undergoing therapy.
After wellness treatments, instead of rashes, the dermis is covered with white spots without pigment, which are especially noticeable on dark skin. This is due to the fact that during the life of the yeast fungus produces a specific substance that harms the work of melanocytes and interferes with the production of natural melanin. As a result, the natural pigment is lost, due to which the skin becomes discolored in the affected areas.
Pityriasis versicolor does not cause deterioration in humansgeneral well-being, but often leads to psychological problems. Spots on the skin look ugly and are perceived by others as a defect, which is why the patient has complexes and lowers self-esteem.
Diagnosis
If initial warning signs occur, you should immediately contact a specialist - a dermatologist who will determine the diagnosis and choose the appropriate treatment regimen for the patient.
The doctor can make preliminary predictions after visual examination, observation of characteristic pathogenesis and examination of the affected areas with the help of a special device - Wood's lamp. When it is illuminated, the skin damaged by the fungus glows in a light orange color. In addition, it is necessary to carry out a study of scrapings of the epidermis through a microscope.
In addition, there is another method for detecting lichen multicolored - the so-called Balzer test. To carry it out, the injured areas of the epidermis are smeared with ordinary iodine, after which they are wiped with alcohol. At the same time, the foci of the fungus, unlike he althy skin, are painted in a rich dark shade, since the causative agent of the pathology loosens the top layer, and the dermis absorbs the paint.
After diagnosing the disease, the dermatologist will individually select the appropriate therapy regimen and explain to the patient how to treat versicolor versicolor. There are many simple techniques that allow you to eliminate the unpleasant effect of yeast activity as much as possible.
How to treat versicolor versicolor
Therapy of this disease involves the use of antimycotic drugs for external use, among which a variety of sprays, creams and ointments occupy a special place. In addition, the systematic use of antifungal medicines in the form of tablets is very important.
To treat damaged areas of the skin, creams and ointments from multicolored lichen are often used: "Bifonazole", "Clotrimazole", "Mycospor". Simple salicylic acid with chamomile proved to be very good in the fight against fungus. The action of these substances is aimed at provoking active peeling of the upper layer of the skin, along with which the causative agent of the disease is also eliminated.
External products
To lubricate the scalp, it is best to use products in the form of sprays, solutions and lotions, since vegetation makes it difficult to apply ointment to damaged areas. Preparations with a high content of selenium sulfide, such as Sulsena shampoo, showed good results.
Lamisil spray is very popular, it is quite convenient to use and does not cause any side effects. This tool eliminates the pathogenic fungus from the inside. It must be applied twice a day.
In addition, the skin should be treated with sulfuric ointment, Wilson's remedy, salicylic or resorcinol alcohol. These drugs intensively dry the dermis and allow you to quickly and effectively destroy the pathogen.
Sulfur-salicylic ointment also allows you to achieve a good result in the fight against multi-colored lichen. This product has an antimicrobial and exfoliating effect. The ointment should be applied twice a day to the affected areas.
Medicated treatment
In case of a prolonged course of pathology and a large focus of damage, it is advisable to use systemic tablets:
- "Ketoconazole", "Mycozoral", "Nizoral";
- "Itraconazole", "Orungal", "Itrazol";
- "Terbinafine", "Terbizil", "Lamisil".
The combination of systemic and local medicines guarantees a positive result and makes it possible to prevent relapses of the disease. External keratolytic preparations favor the exfoliation of the keratinized layer of the epidermis, and the tablets destroy the direct causative agent of the pathology, affecting it from the inside.
After removing the fungus, white spots remain on the skin at first, but gradually the original pigmentation is restored.
Folk recipes
These products can be used as a supplement to traditional medicines. There are a large number of recipes from medicinal plants and natural ingredients, time-tested. To get rid of the symptoms of multi-colored lichen, folk remedies allow you to quickly and effectively. But before using them, you should definitely consult a specialist.
- Ordinary vinegar. The fungus dies in the acidic flora, so this product has long been used to get rid of lichen. To eliminate the symptoms, it is enough to treat the skin with cotton wool soaked in vinegar for only a week. In addition to it, you can use sour juices.
- Mint decoction. To prepare it, you need to pour a handful of leaves with a glass of water and boil for 15 minutes. Such a decoction should be cooled, strained and used as lotions.
- Infusion of celandine. This plant has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, thanks to which it cleanses the skin of yeast. To prepare a decoction, a handful of leaves must be poured with two glasses of boiling water, after which you need to let it brew for an hour. Then the tincture should be used for lotions.
- Ointment based on fragrant rue. For cooking, you need to take the fresh leaves of this plant, chop with a knife and mix with simple petroleum jelly in proportions of 1 to 3. You need to treat the skin with this ointment several times during the day.
