The sun gives life to all living beings and plants, and you can't argue with that. But the life-giving rays in some cases cause significant harm: intense sunburn under the scorching sun can lead to the development of solar lichen in a person - a relatively serious skin disease and its change. The article describes the causes and course of the disease, its symptoms, treatment of pityriasis versicolor, as well as the use of preventive measures.
Description of the disease
Pityriasis versicolor is popularly called "sun fungus" or another name - "beach disease", it is infectious. Usually the disease manifests itself in a chronic form and accompanies a person for a long period.
With the disease, there are no pronounced symptoms. Treatment of pityriasis versicolor in humans should begin at the first suspicion of dermatological abnormalities.
During its intensive development, pigmentedscaly patches that differ in color from normal skin. This is a seasonal pathology, which manifests itself mainly in the summer in people under 30 years old. Rare cases of infection in children.
"Sunshine" lichen is a disease that tends to relapse. Therefore, each ill person needs to follow certain rules (discussed in the "Prevention" section).
In this article you can see a photo of pityriasis versicolor in humans. Symptoms and treatment will be described below.
Pathogenesis
The main reason people develop sunburn is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation or sunlight. The causative agents of the pathology are fungi such as Malassezia furfur, Pityrosporum ovale, and also the Pityrosporum orbiculare type. Under normal conditions, they are on the surface of the skin in almost everyone and do not cause a reaction. But when immunity is weakened, pityriasis versicolor immediately begins to grow (as in the photo). Treatment is carried out using a complex of drugs under the supervision of a physician.
People with excessive sweating and overweight are especially susceptible to the disease. Usually, lichen appears in the areas of the back, chest, neck and abdomen. It is in these places that the sebaceous glands of the body are most efficient. In children and the elderly, the fungus is more likely to cause seborrhea.
At the moment of weakening the body's defenses, the fungus begins to multiply. It penetrates the top layer of the skin and settles in it. Characteristic spots appear due to the active division of he althy skin cells,who is trying to "get rid" of the infection. When the mycelium penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin, the disease is difficult to treat.
Reasons for appearance
The causes of this type of lichen are internal and external.
1. Internal include the following processes: the appearance of endocrine diseases, a drop in immunity, increased sweating and vegetovascular dystonia. There are also a number of other reasons why it is necessary to treat pityriasis versicolor as soon as possible:
- Fungal infection: Prolonged exposure to the sun activates the reproduction of fungi that disrupt the acid and alkaline balance of the skin.
- Diseases of the bile ducts, alimentary canal and liver.
- Respiratory infections.
- Obesity and the development of diabetes.
- Self-use of antiseptics and their wrong choice.
2. Among the external causes that cause pathology, there are:
- Sunbed abuse.
- Wearing unnatural, synthetic clothing that doesn't fit.
- Using hygiene products that disturb the composition of the microflora (shower gels, antibacterial soap).
- Tendency to sweat excessively or changes in the composition of sweat.
- Use of incorrectly selected cosmetics, including abuse of their use.
Treatment of pityriasis versicolor in a person with symptoms (as in the photo above) is importantstart on time. With the development of pathology, the risk of infection of the affected skin areas increases.
Symptoms of disease
The main sign of the beginning development of this disease is the appearance of a large number of asymmetrical spots with a rounded shape and limited, scalloped edges.
There are also other symptoms of pityriasis versicolor in a person who should be treated immediately:
- The skin becomes dark, brownish, somewhat pinkish and even yellow.
- Stains may peel when scraped off.
- The spots do not have soreness, swelling and redness, do not protrude upwards above the skin.
- Pigmentation usually occurs in the abdomen, on the sides, chest, back and neck.
- Extremities, armpits and scalp may be affected in children.
- Affected areas are markedly different from areas of uninfected skin, and they may not tan at all.
- When pink lichen appears, every person is interested in ways to get rid of it. After some time, without normal treatment, the areas may coalesce, forming rather extensive lesions.
Patients suffering from the disease do not experience subjective sensations and, as a rule, people do not use treatment.
A sign of pityriasis versicolor and infection of skin areas are burning and its increased soreness.
Diagnosis of disease
As soon as the first signs of change appearskin structure, it is very important to contact a specialized specialist as soon as possible. Treatment of pityriasis versicolor in humans (photos of people who have experienced this disease are presented in the article) must be started in a timely manner. He will visually examine the patient, prescribe all the necessary tests (usually general: blood, urine and feces) and, if necessary, additional procedures (ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder, fluoroscopic studies of the stomach). To accurately determine the nature and nature of the pathological process, patients are recommended to undergo the following examinations:
- Luminescent diagnostics using Wood's lamp. Under the light, pigmented skin takes on a special hue.
- Iodine test of Balzer. Skin with solar lichen becomes darker than he althy skin after rubbing with iodine.
- Besnier test. Loose areas of skin are scraped off and further examined.
Samples are carefully examined under a microscope to help identify the presence of fungi and confirm symptoms.
Treatment of pityriasis versicolor (photos on this topic are presented in the article) begins with a comparison of the pathology with other diseases: Gibert's disease, vitiligo, leukodermatitis, leprosy or syphilitic roseola, and establishing an accurate diagnosis. With the exclusion of the above diseases, the specialist tells how to get rid of solar lichen as quickly as possible.
Drugs for treatment
A visit to a doctor for prescribing drugs for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor in a person is necessary immediately after itdetection, since in a neglected form it may be necessary to use potent medications. With incorrect prescriptions, the disease can even become chronic, with regular relapses, which will manifest themselves mainly in the summer. Therapy for lichen consists in taking effective antifungal agents. So, first of all, the doctor can prescribe:
- "Ketoconazole";
- Miramistin;
- "Orungal";
- Clotrimazole;
- Itraconazole;
- Nizoral and others
The above drugs significantly improve the patient's condition, remove itching and speed up the healing process, and also prevent relapses. To get rid of pigmentation, "Cycloserine" is usually used, which inhibits transaminase. Salicylic acid, which is smeared on the affected areas several times during the day, will help get rid of skin discoloration. If local treatment of pityriasis versicolor drugs does not have the desired effect, the doctor may advise taking antifungal drugs. Injection administration of drugs for this disease is usually not required. Getting rid of sunburn is a very long process, so you should not assume that the natural shade of the skin will be restored in a few days.
The patient also needs to follow a diet:
- limit fatty and fried foods;
- do not drink strong coffee and alcohol;
- prefer eating greens, legumes, fresh vegetables, dairy products,cereals, fruits and sea fish.
Disease treatment regimen
Effective treatment of pityriasis versicolor begins with the right medication and diet. The doctor gives recommendations on the treatment of hyperemic and flaky skin, which is carried out several times a day. Usually the recovery process takes a long time, so the patient should be patient. After the end of the manifestations of the disease, therapy is continued for about a week to prevent relapse.
The treatment regimen for the disease involves:
- Using an antifungal ointment. It is recommended to apply it to the affected areas washed under clean water. Anti-dandruff agents are used for processing: Nizoral, Dermazol, Sebozol, Perkhotal.
- Next, Clotrimazole ointment or other similar preparations for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor in humans are applied to the affected areas: Miramistin, Lamisil, Cyclopirox, Terbinafine, Bifalazole, etc.
- Treatment tactics are determined by the doctor individually in relation to each patient. Usually the course is about 2 weeks. Prescription drugs are designed for daily use. Then the doctor prescribes a break for 1 month, after which the course of treatment is repeated.
- Compliance with all doctor's prescriptions, the simultaneous use of medications and the use of ointments will help to stop the symptoms, stop the reproduction of the fungus and speed up the healing process.
Folk recipes
You can supplement (but never replace) your doctor's prescription medications for treating pityriasis versicolor in humans by using proven, gentle home remedies. Unfortunately, some patients decide to treat themselves, but if after a while the result does not appear, they still turn to a specialist. During this period of time, lichen often becomes chronic, and it will be very difficult to reduce its manifestations.
Before looking for ways to cure lichen at home, you need to come to a consultation with a dermatologist. There are many ways to treat pityriasis versicolor at home. Below are the most effective and not expensive ones:
- Affected skin should be treated with undiluted sea buckthorn oil. For greater effect, oil can be added to a nourishing cream. This remedy has a calming and healing effect.
- Strengthen immunity and give the body strength to fight the disease will help infusion of wild rose: in a thermos you need to pour 2 tbsp. l. fruits, pour 500 ml of boiling water over them, and after 2 hours strain the drink. You need to use it inside 2 times a day for half a glass.
- Also, stains can be treated with infusion of horse or wild sorrel. To prepare a remedy, you need to finely chop the leaves and mix them with 1 tbsp. l. fat sour cream. The resulting slurry is applied to the skin for 15 minutes, after which it is thoroughly washed off. Additionally, you can wipe stains with rosehip oil.
Sunny lichen in a child
Sometimes children develop multi-colored spots on their skin, which are caused by the presence of a fungal infection on the skin. Symptoms of the disease are similar to the manifestation of the disease in adults.
The disease affects the body due to such reasons:
- Allergy to the sun's rays, which, with prolonged exposure, provoke the reproduction of fungi.
- Long exposure to the sun without protective measures.
- Weakening of immunity due to respiratory diseases, viral infections and other reactions of the child's body.
- In children, pathology manifests itself on the legs, arms, in the armpits and on the head in the area of the hairline. If spots of unknown etiology appear on the body of a child, it is recommended to immediately consult a pediatrician or dermatologist.
Symptoms of developing disease in children are similar to the development of the disease in an adult. Recommended for effective treatment of pityriasis versicolor:
- Treat the child's pigmented skin with salicylic ointment or iodine solution (5%).
- Additionally, the child needs to take vitamins, strengthen the immune system and take antihistamines.
- If such treatment does not give the desired effect, the doctor can supplement it with the appointment of other drugs: Lamisil, Naftilin, Bifazalol, 5% resorcinol alcohol or 5% sulfuric ointment.
- In addition, the child is recommended to take antimycotic agents: spray and lotions. These preparations make it possible to more evenly treat areas of the skin forincrease the effect of treatment.
In addition to prescribing drugs for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor in children, doctors recommend less time on the street during the "dangerous sun" - from 11 am to 4 pm.
Prevention
All people should know how to protect themselves and their families from contracting the disease.
For people who are prone to pathology, and those who are under treatment for pityriasis versicolor, doctors give some recommendations:
- To prevent a fungal disease from overshadowing a sunny day, it is not recommended to be on the beach in the daytime until 16:00, as UV radiation is very high during these hours.
- It is necessary to exclude prolonged visits to the solarium, and also not to use antibacterial care products very often.
- Sunbathing is recommended not under the scorching sun, but a little in the shade, in the morning or evening. But if a person is forced to stay in the sun, be sure to use a high-quality cream with high protection.
- Additionally, in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor in a person, the patient needs to strengthen the immune system and blood vessels, as well as treat the heart.
- In summer, you should choose clothes with a natural composition of fabrics that will not change the properties of sweat and prevent increased sweating. If, however, the sweat began to stand out intensively, the armpits should be sprinkled with talc or powder, and washed with an infusion of oak bark.
Undoubtedly, it is better to prevent the development of the disease than to treat pityriasis versicolor later. Therefore, do not try hard to tan: you need to do it gradually. And if the pathology nevertheless appeared, then the main thing is to make an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible and start treatment so that the disease does not become chronic.
