Tinea Versicolor Home Treatment – Symptoms, Causes And Prevention

Causes Of Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a non-contagious fungal infection that causes the appearance of pale pink, brown or discolored scaly patches on the skin. These patches mostly appear on the back, neck, upper arms and the chest. The rashes become more prominent during the summer season, and may also become itchy due to excessive heat and humidity. This condition is caused by a kind of yeast called malassezia furfur, which breeds on the fat deposits under the surface of the skin, especially during the hot summer months. The intake of oral contraceptives and steroids may also make one more susceptible to tinea versicolor. Nutritional deficiencies in the diet may also predispose one to this disorder. This is, however, not a permanent condition and ought to be distinguished from vitiligo, which causes white patches to appear on the skin around the eyes and the mouth and over body joints.

Tinea Versicolor Cure

There are a few simple home remedies that you may follow to treat this condition. One of the most popular and effective remedies is to wash the affected area with a diluted solution of a shampoo that contains the chemical compound selenium sulfide. You should also wash your skin daily with a mild antifungal soap. The symptoms of tinea versicolor intensify if the skin becomes too oily. Thus, you should avoid using body care products that are too oily. Instead, wash the dab the affected areas with a wad of cotton soaked in chilled water and then pat the skin dry with a soft cotton towel. This helps prevent the skin from becoming flaky and provides relief from the itching. You should also wear clothes made only of natural fabrics, as unlike synthetic garments they allow air to pass through them and absorb excess perspiration from the surface of the skin, thereby reducing the chances of skin irritation. You should also try and protect yourself from exposure to direct sunlight, as the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun worsens the symptoms of tinea versicolor. In addition to this, you should eat a well balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. Include plenty of fresh fruits, raw vegetables and whole grains in your diet, as these are rich natural sources of antioxidants that help strengthen the body’s natural immune system. Eating a bowl of unsweetened homemade yogurt every morning also helps treat the condition naturally, as it contains lactic acid that helps prevent the spread of the infection. Stay away from breads made of refined flour and artificially sweetened foodstuff.