Sunshine is a skin disease that sunburners are particularly prone to. It is caused by a fungal infection, and overheating of the skin is a provoking factor. In medicine, this disease is called differently - pityriasis or versicolor. With this pathology, the pathogen affects the stratum corneum of the epidermis and hair follicles. Most often, people with sweating and poor hygiene get sick. This pathology must be treated in a timely manner, since pityriasis versicolor often recurs.
Causes of the disease
The causative agent of sunshine is a yeast-like fungus. It is conditionally pathogenic. Such a fungus is present on the skin of all people, it is part of the normal microflora. In most cases, this does not lead to the development of the pathology in question. The disease occurs only in the presence of additional adverse factors. At high air temperature and skin moisture, the fungus becomes pathogenic. It penetrates deep into the stratum corneum of the epidermis, which is what causes the disease.
Any factors contributing to overheating of the body and increased sweating can provoke the development of pityriasis versicolor:
- excessive exposure to open sunlight;
- intense physical work;
- taking antipyretic drugs and corticosteroids;
- infectious diseases accompanied by high fever and profuse sweat;
- synthetic clothing;
- abuse of procedures in the solarium;
- endocrine disorders;
- reduced immunity;
- excessive sweating.
All this creates favorable conditions for enhanced reproduction of the fungus and its transition to a pathogenic form.
Is a sick person contagious
It is possible to become infected with solar deprivation from a sick person only with very long and close communication. The fungus is under the skin, it is not transmitted by shaking hands and other tactile contacts. Cases of infection from the patient are extremely rare. Usually, the cause of the pathology is factors in which favorable conditions are created for the growth of the fungus. This is an increased humidity and temperature of the air and skin.
First signs of the disease
At the beginning of the disease, the fungus enters the sebaceous glands of the hair follicles. There it multiplies. The first symptom of sunshine is small spots around the hairs on the skin. They have the appearance of yellowish-brown dots with clearly defined edges. These rashes are hardly noticeable, and a person may not attach importance to the first manifestations of sunshine. Photos of spots at an early stage of the disease can be seen below.
Clear clinical symptoms
In the future, spots increase. They take on an irregular shape with torn edges. The color of the rashes may be different. At the onset of the disease, they differ little from the skin tone. As the pathology progresses, the spots acquire a brown, brown or cream color. In advanced cases, the rashes merge, and foci of up to 15 cm in size form on the skin. On top of the spots are covered with scales that flake strongly (see photo). With sunshine in a person, rashes are localized on the chest, back, abdomen, as well as in the armpits and shoulders. On the extremities, face and neck, the skin is rarely affected.
In addition to rashes, this disease is not manifested by any other symptoms. If itching, burning sensation or inflammation occurs, it means that bacteria have joined the fungal infection.
Possible complications and prognosis
Sunshine is not a dangerous disease. However, in some cases, it can be complicated by inflammation of the hair follicle - folliculitis. This pathology is accompanied by itching and the formation of pustules. The occurrence of such symptoms indicates the attachment of a secondary bacterial infection.
The prognosis of the disease is favorable, this pathology is easily cured. After the course of therapy, white spots remain in place of the spots. They persist for 1-2 months until the skin is completely restored. However, if a person has a genetic predisposition to this disease, then relapse is possible.
Diagnostics
When diagnosing, lichen planus must be differentiated from vitiligo, psoriasis, eczema, and also from a rash with syphilis. Assign the following types of analyzes:
- Test using iodine. The spots are treated with iodine solution. With pityriasis, rashes after a few minutes become dark brown.
- Inspection with a Wood lamp. The spots are illuminated with a special device with ultraviolet radiation. Rashes with pityriasis versicolor are highlighted in red-yellow or greenish.
- Scraping from spots. Scales from the area of rashes are examined under a microscope. With the disease, you can detect the threads (mycelium) of the fungus.
- Chip symptom analysis. Spots carefully scraped. In this case, a sick person leaves scales that resemble flour in appearance.
Drug treatment
Most often, doctors prescribe local remedies for treating sunshine in humans. These are ointments and creams of antifungal action. The course of treatment is from 1 to 2 weeks. Then they take a break for 1 month and repeat the therapy. The following local remedies are used:
- "Nizoral";
- "Clotrimazole";
- Exoderyl
- "Travocort";
- Zalain;
- Lamisil.
If spots appear on the scalp, it is recommended to use shampoos with ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione or sodium thiosulfate.
In addition, keratolytic agents are prescribed. They help exfoliate dead skin particles. These drugs include the following external medicines:
- salicylic ointment;
- salicylic alcohol;
- resorcinol alcohol;
- glycolic acid.
In advanced cases, topical treatment of sunshine is supplemented with medications for oral administration. The following antifungal drugs are used:
- "Itraconazole";
- "Ketoconazole";
- Diflucan
- Flucostat;
- Orungal.
The course of therapy is from 1 to 2 weeks.
During treatment, no special diet is required. Moderate sun exposure is not contraindicated. It can even be beneficial: exposure to ultraviolet light will help exfoliate problem areas of the skin. Water procedures are also not prohibited. During the illness, it is necessary to change underwear and bed linen more often. Try to wear clothes made from natural fabrics. After recovery, the laundry should be washed thoroughly in boiling mode.
Folk remedies
Often patients ask the question: "Is it possible to cure sunshine in humans at home?" It must be remembered that it is impossible to destroy the fungus with folk remedies alone. Home treatment can only be an addition to drug therapy. It can only be used after consultation with a doctor.
You can use the following home remedies:
- Sea buckthorn or rosehip oil. These drugs can be purchased at pharmacy chains. They have a healing effect and have a calming effect on the skin. Oils are applied to the affected areas twice a day.
- Horse sorrel. It is necessary to chop the leaves of this herb very finely and mix with sour cream. Apply on stains and rinse with running water after 10-15 minutes.
- Apple vinegar. With this tool you need to wipe the rash every 3 hours. However, if severe itching or peeling occurs, treatment should be discontinued.
- Rosehip infusion. 2 tablespoons of berries fall asleep in a thermos and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. After 2 hours, the infusion must be filtered. The drug is drunk twice a day in half a glass. You can also treat with infusion spots on the skin.
- Tincture of calendula. This drug is sold in pharmacies. But you can prepare tincture at home. To do this, you need to take 1 part of the plant's flowers to 5 parts of alcohol. Calendula is poured with ethanol and kept in a cool place for 14 days. The resulting liquid must be filtered and applied to the stains every 2-3 hours.
- Onion. It is necessary to squeeze the juice from the bulb and wipe them with problem areas of the skin. However, it must be ensured that there is no irritation.
Prevention
To avoid illness, it is necessary to limit exposure to the sun. You should also not abuse the procedures in the solarium. In hot weather, you need to apply sunscreen to the skin and wear clothes made from natural fabrics.
With excessive sweating, the skin should be washed with a decoction of oak bark, and axillary cavities should be treated with talcum powder or powder. You also need to pay attention to your health and treat endocrine pathologies on time. These simple measures will help to avoid the disease.