Tinea Versicolor

Subjective information includes a 46-year-old male patient at the office complaining of a continuous, persistent rash that is causing itching. He says “the rash started a few weeks ago on his chest and since has spread to both his upper extremities and back.” He does not know why the rash began, although he mentions a recent trip to Florida. He denies any allergies. The one and only medication he confirms is long-standing occasional Ibuprofen, for his chronic knee pain that occurred many years ago from a work- related injury. The objective information includes a fit, trim and overall tan. The rash of unknown origin appears to his chest, arms and back. The notable scattered light-colored patches are circular in shape, flat and range in size from 1-1.5 centimeters in size.
Differential diagnosis includes Tinea versicolor, Vitiligo, and Pityriasis rosea. The diagnosis of Tinea versicolor is most likely the cause. Tinea versicolor is a chronic, asymptomatic and superficial fungal infection. The manifestation is common in young adults. The disorder occurs to the change in resistance to the organism Malassezia furfur. Lesions may appear due to high heat and humid conditions such as those found in Florida, with the exposure of sunlight initiating an episode. Upon touching the lesion, they may feel scaly. The usually sites for the plaques are on the trunk, neck, and upper extremities, chest, abdomen and