Symptoms and treatment of pityriasis versicolor

The sun gives life to all living beings and plants, and you can not argue with that. But life-giving rays in some cases cause significant harm: intense tanning under the scorching sun can lead to the development of sunshine in humans - 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.

Disease Description

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 a person should begin at the first suspicion of dermatological abnormalities.

During its intensive development, pigmented scaly spots appear on the skin; they differ in color from normal skin. This is a seasonal pathology, which manifests itself mainly in the summer in people under 30 years of age. Cases of infection of children are rare.

"Sunny" lichen is a disease that has a tendency 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 later.

Pathogenesis

The main reason for the development of solar deprivation in people is their prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation or sunlight. Pathogens are fungi of the type Malassezia furfur, Pityrosporum ovale, as well as the type Pityrosporum orbiculare. Under normal conditions, they are on the surface of the skin of almost everyone and do not cause a reaction. But with weakening of immunity, 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 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 often causes seborrhea.

At the time of weakening of the body's defenses, the fungus begins to multiply. It penetrates the upper layer of the skin and settles in it. Characteristic spots appear due to active cell division of healthy skin, which 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 the appearance

The causes of the appearance of this species of lichen are internal and external.

1. Internal include the following processes: the appearance of endocrine diseases, a decrease in immunity, increased sweating and vegetovascular dystonia. A number of other reasons are also known for which it is necessary to treat pityriasis versicolor as soon as possible:

• Fungal infection: as a result of prolonged exposure to the sun, the multiplication of fungi that violate the acid and alkaline balance of the skin is activated.
• Diseases of the bile duct, digestive canal and liver.
• Respiratory infections.
• Obesity and the development of diabetes.
• The independent use of antiseptic agents and their improper choice.

2. Among the external causes of pathology are:

• Abuse of the solarium.
• Wearing fake, synthetic, out-of-size clothing.
• Use of hygiene products that disrupt the microflora composition (shower gels, antibacterial soap).
• Tendency to excessive sweating or changes in the composition of sweat.
• Use of improperly selected cosmetics, including abuse of their use.

The treatment of pityriasis versicolor in a person with symptoms (as in the photo above) is important to start in a timely manner. With the development of pathology, the risk of infection of affected areas of the skin increases.

Symptoms of the disease

The main sign of the beginning development of this disease is the appearance of a large number of asymmetric spots with a rounded shape and limited, scalloped edges.

Other symptoms of pityriasis versicolor in a person also appear, the treatment of which should be started immediately:

• The skin becomes dark, brownish, somewhat pinkish and even yellow.
• Stains when scraping can peel off.
• The spots do not have pain, swelling and redness, do not protrude upward over the skin.
• Pigmentation usually occurs in the abdomen, on the sides, chest, back and neck.
• In children, the limbs, armpits, and scalp may be affected.
• Affected areas are markedly different from areas of uninfected skin, and they may not even sunbathe.
• When pink lichen appears, every person is interested in ways to get rid of it. After some time, without normal treatment, the sites can join together, forming quite extensive lesions.

In patients with the disease, subjective sensations are not observed 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 the disease

As soon as the first signs of a change in the structure of the skin appear, it is very important to consult a specialist in a faster manner. Treatment of pityriasis versicolor in humans (photos of people who have encountered this ailment 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 gall bladder, fluoroscopic examinations of the stomach). To accurately determine the nature and nature of the pathological process, patients are advised to undergo such examinations:

• Luminescent diagnostics using a Wood lamp. Under light, pigmented skin takes on a special shade.
• Balcer iodine test. Skin with solar deprivation after rubbing with iodine becomes darker than healthy skin.
• Benje test. Loosened skin areas are scraped off and subsequently examined.

Samples are carefully examined under a microscope, which helps to determine the presence of fungi and confirm the symptoms.

Treatment of pityriasis versicolor (photos on this topic are presented in the article) begins with a comparison of the pathology with other diseases: Zhiber 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 sunshine as quickly as possible.

Drugs for treatment

A visit to a doctor for the prescription of drugs for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor in a person is necessary immediately after its discovery, since in a neglected form it may be necessary to use potent medicines. With improper prescriptions, the disease can even become chronic, with regular relapses, which will occur 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, as well as prevent the onset of relapses. To get rid of pigmentation, Cycloserine, which inhibits transaminase, is usually used. Salicylic acid, which lubricates the affected area several times during the day, will help get rid of skin discoloration. If local treatment of pityriasis versicolor with drugs does not have the desired effect, the doctor may advise taking antifungal agents. Injection medication for this disease is usually not required. Getting rid of sunshine is a very long process, so you should not assume that the natural shade of the skin will recover in a few days.

The patient also needs to adhere to a diet:

• limit the intake of fatty and fried foods;
• do not drink strong coffee and alcohol;
• give preference to eating greens, legumes, fresh vegetables, dairy products, cereals, fruits, and sea fish.

The treatment regimen

Effective treatment of pityriasis versicolor begins with the right medication and diet. The doctor gives recommendations on the treatment of hyperemic and peeling skin, which is carried out several times a day. Usually, the healing 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:

• Use of an antifungal ointment. It is recommended to apply to the affected areas washed under clear water. For treatment, anti-dandruff agents are used: Nizoral, Dermazol, Sebozol, Perhotal.
• Next, the ointment “Clotrimazole” or other similar drugs for the treatment of pityriasis in humans is applied to the affected areas: “Miramistin”, “Lamisil”, “Cyclopirox”, “Terbinafine”, “Bifalazole”, etc.
• The treatment tactics are determined by the doctor individually in relation to each patient. Typically, the course is approximately 2 weeks. The purpose of the drugs is designed for their 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 administration of medications and the use of ointments will help stop symptoms, stop the growth of the fungus and speed up the healing process.

Folk recipes

It is possible to supplement (but by no means replace) the medicines prescribed by the doctor for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor in humans, using proven home remedies with a gentle effect. Unfortunately, some patients decide to be treated independently, but if after a while the result does not appear, they still turn to a specialist. Over this period of time, lichen often acquires a chronic form, and it will be very difficult to reduce its manifestations.

Before you look for ways to cure lichen at home, you need to consult a dermatologist. There are many ways to treat pityriasis versicolor at home. The most effective and not expensive of them are considered below:

1. 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.
2. Strengthen the immune system and give the body strength to fight the disease will help rosehip infusion: in a thermos you need to pour 2 tbsp. l fruits, pour them 500 ml of boiling water, and after 2 hours strain the drink. You need to use it inside 2 times a day for half a glass.
3. Also, spots can be treated with infusion of horse or wild sorrel. To prepare a therapeutic agent, it is necessary to finely chop the leaves and mix them with 1 tbsp. l oily sour cream. The resulting slurry is applied to the skin for 15 minutes, after which it is thoroughly washed off. Additionally, you can wipe the stains with rosehip oil.

Sunshine in a child

Sometimes in children, multi-colored spots appear on the skin, which are caused by the presence of a fungal infection on the skin. The symptomatology of the disease is similar to the manifestation of the disease in adults.

The disease affects the body due to such reasons:

• Allergy to sun rays, which with prolonged exposure provoke the multiplication of fungi.
• Long exposure to the sun without protective measures.
• Weakening of the immune system against the background of 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 unclear etiology appear on the child's body, it is recommended that you immediately consult a pediatrician or dermatologist.

Symptoms of a developing disease in children are similar to the development of a disease in an adult. For effective treatment of pityriasis versicolor, it is recommended:

• Treat pigmented baby skin with salicylic ointment or iodine solution (5%).
• In addition, the child needs to take vitamins, strengthen immunity and take antihistamines.
• If such treatment did not give the desired effect, the doctor can supplement it with the appointment of other drugs: Lamisil, Naphthyline, Bifazalol, 5% resorcinol alcohol or 5% sulfur ointment.
• In addition, antimycotic agents: spray and lotions are recommended for the child. These drugs make it possible to more evenly treat skin areas to increase 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 to 16 hours.

Prevention

All people should know how to protect themselves and their family from becoming infected with the disease.

For people who are prone to pathology, and those who are undergoing treatment for pityriasis, doctors give some recommendations:

1. So that a fungal disease does not overshadow a sunny day, it is not recommended to be on the beach in the daytime until 16:00, because it is during these hours that a very high UV radiation is observed.
2. It is necessary to exclude a prolonged visit to the solarium, and also not to use antibacterial care products very often.
3. 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, you must definitely use a high-quality cream with high protection.
4. Additionally, in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor in humans, the patient needs to strengthen the immune system and blood vessels, as well as treat the heart.
5. In summer, it is worth choosing clothes with a natural composition of fabrics that will not change the properties of sweat and prevent increased sweating. If, however, sweat began to be released intensively, axillary cavities should be sprinkled with talcum powder or powder, as well as washed with infusion of oak bark.

Undoubtedly, it is better to prevent the development of the disease than then treat pityriasis versicolor. Therefore, do not really strive to tan: you need to do it gradually. And if the pathology still appeared, then the main thing is to make an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible and begin treatment so that the disease does not become chronic.