What causes tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus. This fungus lives all around us, including on the skin. Normally, everyday washing and showering removes dead skin and fungi (more than one fungus). But in hot and humid weather, such as during the summer or in tropical areas, fungi may grow more rapidly. As these fungi grow in number, their natural balance on the skin is affected, the normal color of the skin changes, and spots appear. Tanning will make the condition more obvious. People with oily skin, especially teens and young adults, are more likely to get tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor usually is less likely to occur as you age, when the skin becomes less oily. It does not spread from person to person. Other things that increase your chance of getting tinea versicolor include having an impaired immune system, which cam occur during pregnancy or some form of illness and using certain medicines, such as corticosteroids, antibiotics or birth control pills.
