Tinea versicolour is a fungal skin infection leading to discoloured macules often seen during summer months. It is diagnosed with a KOH preparation and treated with a topical antifungal.

Pathophysiology

• Malassezia globosa fungus that grows in hot and humid weather
• Becomes apparent after tanning of surrounding skin

Contextual Factors

• Summer months

Clinical Manifestation

• Hypopigmented, hyperpigmented, or mildly erythematous macules
  • Children: face
  • Adolescents/ adults: trunk and upper extremities
• W/ or w/o fine scales
• W/ or w/o pruritis

Diagnosis

• KOH preparation
  • Large, blunt hyphae
  • Thick-walled budding yeast (“spaghetti and meatballs”)

Treatment

• Topical treatment - pigmentation may take months to return to normal
  • Ketoconazole
  • Terbinafine
  • Selenium sulfide