Pityriasis versicolor may assume 3 clinical forms: Erythematous, hyperpigmented and hypopigmented rash. Here is a 34-year-old male presented with asymptomatic hyperpigmented brownish slightly scaly patches at the neck region of many months duration. One or more clinical forms may be found in one patient and to accentuate the fine scaly nature of the rash you may need to gently scrape or stretch these patches.
Category Archives: Fungal Infections
Fungal Skin Diseases
Tinea cruris
A 28-year-old male presented with a severely-pruritic, minimally-scaly red plaques involved both crural areas symmetrically of 6 months duration. The patient gave history of applying many potent and super-potent topical corticosteroids with transient partial improvements soon followed by rash extension and increased itchiness and redness. He has been treated with oral griseofulvin with combined topical Clotrimazole and Hydrocortisone 2.5% in cream base for 4 weeks with excellent outcome.
Tinea barbae
A slightly itchy red scaly rash involved the beard area with minimal hair loss of 6 months duration. The scales took a polycyclic configuration. KOH examination of the hair and scales were positive for fungi. Very good result on oral griseofulvin was obtained.
Tinea cruris
A 32-year-old male presented with a well-demarcated, red, scaly rash involved both crural areas symmetrically associated with mild itching of 3 months duration. KOH wet mount preparation of lesional scales yielded fungal hyphae and scores. Complete cure was obtained on treatment with oral griseofuvin plus topical clotrimazoler for 4 weeks.
Pityriasis versicolor
History
A teenager presented with a slightly itchy, blotchy, reddish brown scaly patches and plaques mainly on the trunk of a sudden onset at the start of summer. Pityriasis versicolor is a chronic, often symptom-free or only slightly itchy fungal infection characterized by pigmentary changes. It is caused by overgrowth of the mycelial form of the commensal yeast Pityrosporum orbiculare and is particularly common in humid or tropical conditions. PV mainly affects young adults, appearing on the trunk, neck and proximal parts of the limbs and presents as brown, pink or hypopigmented oval or round scaly patches covered with branny scaling.
Tinea imbricata
History
A 30-year-old man presented with concentric red scaly rings on the abdomen of two months duration. KOH smear was positive for fungal hyphae and spores. Tinea imbricata (Tokelau) is a superficial fungal infection caused by anthropophilic dermatophyte named Trichophyton concentricum.
Pityriasis versicolor
History
A 35-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic, circinate red patches with fine scales involved the trunk of many months duration. Three 150 mg capsules of Sporanox (Fluconazole) one week apart had cleared the rash.
Tinea barbae
History
A 25-year-old man presented with pruritic, erythematous plaque studded with pustules in the beard of three months duration. KOH mount preparation showed fungal hyphae and spores and the condition responded very well to systemic griseofulvin therapy.