PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR (PV)

INTRODUCTION
Is a common, long term (chronic) fungal infection of skin (superficial fungal infection) PV also known as Dermatomycosis furfarae and Tinea Flava characterized by well-demarcated scaling patches with variable pigmentation, occurring most commonly on the trunk.

Etiology
caused by a yeast called Malassezia furfur (also known as Pityrosporum ovale) that lives in the skin of most adults - it is part of normal flora normally resides in the keratin of skin and hair follicles Becomes pathogenic when its growth encouraged by increased rates of sebum secretion or depressed immunity (opportunistic infection)

Predisposing factors
High temperatures/relative humidity
yeast feeds on skin oils & dead skin cells

oily skin hyperhidrosis (abnormally increased perpiration) hereditary factors glucocorticoid treatment immunodeficiency seborrheic dermatitis dandruff Application of oils such as cocoa butter predisposes young children to PV

 Age of onset : young adults

Pathogenesis : Fungal enzymes produce compounds(Dicarboxylic acids) that inhibit melanin production

Symptoms
Usually none, Occasionally mild pruritus

Distributions : trunk upper arms neck abdomen common Axillae groins thighs genitalia Face less common Scalp

 pigmentary changes and scaling in the epidermis The lesions appear as patches with fine scale and can be pink, tan, or most commonly, white Affected skin, change color and become either lighter or darker than surrounding skin

skin lesions : - Macules, sharply marginated, round or oval in shape, varying in size - In untanned skin, lesions are light brown On tanned skin, white In dark-skinned individuals, dark brown macules - Some PV lesions are red - may enlarge, merge, forming extensive geographic areas.

Tanned skin white patches

Dark skinned dark brown macules

Untanned skin light brown patches Red patches