Which ointments for lichen in humans are better and more effective for treatment? Pityriasis versicolor, tinea versicolor - treatment, causes, signs, photos. Preparations for the treatment of lichen versicolor.

Pityriasis versicolor received its name due to the appearance on the skin of spots of varying degrees of maturity in many shades - from pink to brown. This mycodermatosis occurs mainly in spring or summer, when optimal conditions for the development of the fungus are created - increased sweating, high skin temperature.

A common variant of tinea versicolor is the pityriasis form. With it, spots appear on the skin that resemble bran. A differential sign of the disease is insensitivity to the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Light brown, whitish spots appear at the initial stage of the pathology. Dermatologists determine the nosology by the presence of areas of depigmentation against the background of tanned skin, which are clearly limited and resemble bran. For reliable diagnosis, a microscopic examination is performed. The threads and mycelium of the fungus are clearly visualized under a microscope.

Dermatologists called the disease “leopard color” due to the presence of multi-colored foci of de- and hyperpigmentation.

Pityriasis versicolor - symptoms

The symptoms of pityriasis versicolor are specific, treatment is long-term. Skin mycoses are eliminated over months or years of regular use of antifungal drugs and ointments. At the initial stage, outlined lesions of a café-au-lait color appear. Gradually, the individual components of the rash merge, forming large lesions.

Pigmentation disorders in pityriasis versicolor are formed due to the production of a special substance by the fungus - azelaic acid. The compound blocks the activity of melanocytes, the cells that produce skin pigment. Without melanin, tanning does not occur. As a result, the affected areas with lichen versicolor have a spotty structure. The pathology resembles another nosological form - “vitiligo”.

Common symptoms of versicolor:

Severe itching;
Skin rash;
Pityriasis peeling when the top layer of skin loosens;
The glow of areas is yellow-green in the rays of a Wood's lamp;
Positive iodine test (Balzer) - when stains are treated with iodine, the formations become brown;
Pronounced peeling of the pathological focus when scraping.

The diagnostic criteria for diagnosing multicolored (including tubular and pityriasis versicolor) are sufficient for early detection.

Pathogenesis of pityriasis versicolor

The early stages of mycosis are characterized by single spots on the skin, localized in the hair follicles. With magnification, lesions up to 1 cm in size are formed. The nodes have a pink tint with a smooth color gradient of elements to brown. The different colors of the elements of the rash contributed to the creation of a unique definition of pityriasis versicolor - “multi-colored”.

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When the stratum corneum of the epidermis is loosened, scales form. Morphologically, the formations have the appearance of bran. Pronounced peeling after healing of the spots may not be visible, but when externally scraped, shavings appear - the “chips” syndrome.

Individual clinical forms, when merging, are capable of forming large foci of the “geographical outline” type. The nodes reach a diameter of 15 cm and have uneven contours. Symptoms are characteristic of mycoses that occur during HIV infection. Gradually, other types of rash appear - plaques or papules.

With frequent sunbathing, pathological lesions are not prone to peeling, and areas of lichen become lighter. The condition is called in clinical language - leukoderma, when light spots appear under the influence of blockade of melanin synthesis in the skin, provoked by changes in metabolism.

When tanning, itching is characterized by mild severity. The pathology is especially often accompanied by excessive sweating. Treatment of the pityriasis form is long-term. During therapy, exacerbations periodically appear.

How to treat lichen versicolor: general and local recommendations

When describing how to properly treat lichen versicolor, the importance of combined methods should be highlighted, including the following procedures:

Good nutrition;
Local therapy;
Antifungal drugs.

The diet for pityriasis versicolor involves limiting spices, marinades, smoked meats, and meat broths. You should avoid cheese, beans, peas, other legumes, and chocolate products. To treat mycosis, you need to add dairy dishes, vegetables, and animal protein to your diet. Full saturation of the body with vitamin and mineral components allows you to restore local immunity and accelerate the healing of lesions.

Local treatment of pityriasis versicolor

If a person has pityriasis versicolor, local treatment is based on antifungal, keratolytic ointments. Drugs for the treatment of ringworm should be discussed with a dermatologist.

Common antifungal ointments:

The mixture, bifonazole cream (1%) is applied in a thin layer once daily for 2-3 weeks;
Mycozoral (ketoconazole) uses a 2% ointment according to a similar prescription;
Terbinafine – for rubbing in for 2-3 weeks (1% ointment);
Clotrimazole –1% solution is rubbed in for 3 weeks;
Ciclopirox - cream is applied for 10 days in the form of a 1% solution.

When treating pityriasis versicolor, it is imperative to lubricate all skin. You should also rub the ointment into your scalp. Statistics describe cases of repeated relapse of the disease after long-term careful treatment, but without treatment of the head. It is in this place that a reservoir of infection can persist, which will become a source of re-infection.

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Dermatologists prefer to use terbinafine to treat tinea versicolor. The drug has been studied by domestic and foreign doctors. Clinical practice of its use has shown its high effectiveness.

Drugs for local therapy of mycosis are well tolerated. The drugs occasionally provoke erythema, burning, minor erosions, and itching at the site of fungal foci. Maceration of the integument and individual sensitivity to individual components of antifungal ointments are often observed in the first trimester of pregnancy. Antimycotic gels and creams are used during breastfeeding only after careful selection.

It is better for pregnant women to smear the spots with alternative compositions:

Sodium hyposulfite (60%);
Treatment of skin with hydrochloric acid - Demyanovich's method;
Lubricating the skin with sulfur-salicylic ointment (10%);
Benzyl benzoate.

These methods are considered outdated, as they provoke an unpleasant odor, burning, and itching in areas where the skin is affected.

When determining how to treat pityriasis versicolor, which is not eliminated by local ointments, dermatologists look at antimycotic drugs. Tablet and capsule forms, together with local remedies, can more effectively cope with a fungal infection, but treatment is long-term.

Most treatment regimens for pityriasis versicolor include the drugs fluconazole and itraconazole.

The standard method requires the use of drugs for 15 days, 100-150 mg. For complex forms of lichen versicolor, the duration of taking the drug should be increased for 2 months.

Antimycotic drugs for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor have a number of side effects:

Frequent causeless fatigue;
Head pain;
Dizziness;
Intestinal dysfunction with symptoms of vomiting, epigastric pain, bloating, intestinal obstruction, nausea;
Liver pathology;
Violation of the formation of the blood system;
Imbalance of cardiac activity;
Allergy;
Neurological diseases.

Antimycotic drugs should not be prescribed for the treatment of lichen versicolor in children under 4 years of age, increasing the QT interval on the electrocardiogram, or individual intolerance. Medicines should be taken with caution in cases of renal and hepatic failure, pregnancy, severe heart disease, and drinking alcohol. Antibacterial agents are not prescribed for mycoses, as they have low effectiveness.

How to treat pityriasis versicolor in a risk group

Pregnant women and children with lichen versicolor are prescribed keratolytic agents - boric, sulfuric, salicylic acid. Mixtures are used to treat the skin surface twice a day. The course of treatment is several weeks. In practice, experts have found that the effectiveness of local forms is significantly increased when systemic antifungal drugs are used together with them.

Classic symptoms of blood poisoning with a sore tooth

During pregnancy, antifungal drugs are prescribed with caution, since many drugs have a negative effect on the fetus. When carrying a child, dermatologists recommend a special talker that is safe for the child. The product consists of talc, alcohol ingredients, zinc, starch, stabilizing additives, glycerin. The “tsindol” mixture is used to treat damaged skin areas three times a day using a cotton swab.

The chatterbox has the following mechanisms of action: anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, disinfectant, and drying.

Preparations for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor

Let's consider the common options for drugs used to treat lichen versicolor:

Resorcinol or salicylic alcohol – 5% solution;
Bifonazole, ciclopirox, clotrimazole, psoril are fungicidal drugs;
Kelual, nizoral, keto-plus, sebazol, foltene-pharma - for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis due to a fungal infection;
Fluconazole, ketoconazole, intraconazole - antifungal drugs that increase sweating;
Shampoo with selenium, zinc sulfide - for the treatment of folliculitis caused by the fungus Pityrosporum.

To increase the effectiveness of treatment of lichen, a combination of medications of different forms is used - local ointments, antifungal drugs, shampoos with zinc pyrithione. In severe cases, a combination of systemic ketoconazole with shampoo is recommended.

For the etiological treatment of dermatomycosis, 2 drugs are used - lamisil spray and itraconazole. The effect of these drugs has been studied by European dermatologists.

When studying through an electron microscope, it was possible to establish changes occurring in cultures of pathogens - the fungi M. furfur under the influence of itraconazole.

Studies have shown that under the influence of an antimycotic, destructive changes appear in the cells of the fungus. At the same time, when using the drug, structural changes appear in the cytoplasm and destruction of the cell membrane. The drug affects not only the active cells of the fungus, but also the reproductive form - blastospores.

The high antifungal activity of itraconazole is obvious. The drug can be used to treat patients with atypical forms of pityriasis versicolor.

Lamisil spray (terbinafine) is prescribed to patients with limited forms. Used to treat lesions lasting up to 7 days.

When using the drug, mycological and clinical cure of pityriasis versicolor occurs.

Fungicidal activity is limited to individual forms, but the product is characterized by minimal side effects. Itching was observed only in certain categories of patients.

Drugs for the treatment of pityriasis rosea in humans

The therapeutic effect increases when antimycotic drugs are combined with disinfection of bed and underwear. Nizoral shampoo is recommended for treating scalp with pathology. Apply 3 days after the start of treatment, and then once for 1 month.

When assessing the results of the above examinations, it was possible to establish that for generalized types, local treatment cannot be carried out due to low rationality. The best antimycotic activity is observed with the use of itraconazole and fluconazole.

In the local form, therapeutic effectiveness is achieved by taking local topical agents such as terbinafine.

A lasting positive effect is achieved by using antifungal drugs in conjunction with corrective treatment with local ointments. At the same time, compliance with diet, skin hygiene and other specialist recommendations is required.

Pityriasis versicolor (synonym: pityriasis versicolor) is a fungal infection of the superficial stratum corneum of the skin (epidermis) in humans.
Latin name: Pityriasis versicolor
ICD10 code: B36.0
Other synonyms: yellow pityriasis, versicolor versicolor, sun fungus, sun or beach pityriasis.

Treatment for pityriasis versicolor is with a dermatologist.

Reasons

The only cause of pityriasis versicolor in humans is the yeast-like fungus Pityrosporum (that is, it is similar to yeast fungi).
This pathogen has three forms: Malassezia furfur (mycelial form), Pityrosporum orbiculare (round form) and Pityrosporum ovale (oval form of the fungus). Normally, a person may have Pityrosporum orbiculare and Pityrosporum ovale in their skin, but they do not cause lichen. Once these forms of the fungus transform into the Malassezia furfur form, the person develops tinea versicolor.

Mostly young people, often men, are affected in countries with hot and humid climates. Children and old people rarely get sick.
If pityriasis versicolor appears in a child or an elderly person, you should look for the underlying disease or predisposing factor that led to the development of a fungal infection on the skin.

The disease is chronic and relapses occur frequently.

Contagiousness (that is, infectiousness) is low. That is, the fungus, of course, is transmitted from person to person. But you are unlikely to be able to become infected with pityriasis versicolor from a patient. After all, with a 90% probability, every person on Earth has this pathogen.

In addition to the main cause, there are predisposing factors that contribute to the development of fungus in human skin:

diabetes mellitus and other endocrine diseases,
HIV and immunodeficiency as a result of treatment for blood cancer,
increased sweating of the human body,
stress,
hereditary predisposition, special composition of sweat and excess sebum,
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract,
in general - a decrease in immunity, which is designed to fight the fungus.

Symptoms

On the head

If pityriasis versicolor is located on the scalp, it is called seborrhea, or dandruff.

The symptoms are exactly the same - spots, itchy scalp, flaking. At the same time, it is peeling that most often worries patients.
How to treat pityriasis versicolor on the head and other hairy areas of the body - and in the same way as on other parts of the body. Just choose not a cream or ointment, but a spray or solution for external skin treatment plus shampoo with an antifungal agent.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of pityriasis versicolor in a person is made on the basis of:

1) Main symptoms: spots on the skin of different colors, merging into conglomerates.

2) Pityriasis-like peeling of spots.

3) Spots without inflammation.

4) Diagnostics under a microscope is the main instrumental method for diagnosing lichen versicolor. Scrape off exfoliated skin particles from the surface of the spots, treat with potassium alkali and look under a microscope. Both the mushrooms themselves and their mycelium are visible.

5) Examination of the skin under a Wood's lamp. Wood's lamp is an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp with a magnifying glass for examining the skin.
Pityriasis versicolor spots under a Wood's lamp give a yellow-greenish or reddish-brown glow different from the surrounding skin. Moreover, lichen spots of different colors also give a different glow under a Wood’s lamp.

What does pityriasis versicolor look like under a Wood's lamp?

6) Iodine test, or Balzer test, is an important diagnostic symptom. It can be done at home and if not diagnosed, then suspect the diagnosis of versicolor versicolor yourself.
Take iodine tincture, lubricate the spots and surrounding healthy skin. After a few seconds, wipe so that there are no drops of iodine on the skin. Healthy skin becomes yellowish, and pityriasis versicolor spots overabsorb iodine and turn brown.

7) Beignet's sign, or floury peeling. When skin lesions are scraped, for example with a glass slide or scalpel, fine floury peeling appears.

Beignet's sign - floury peeling

Differential diagnosis is carried out:

With Becker's nevus in the stage when there is no hair growth yet.
Zhiber's rosacea is also in the initial stage.

Treatment

Treatment of pityriasis versicolor has only cosmetic indications, since there is no inflammation or damage to other organs in this disease. Such patients are not contagious, since the fungus is present in almost all people, it’s just a matter of immunity.

How to treat pityriasis versicolor:

1) Correction of the underlying disease (if any) that led to the appearance of pityriasis versicolor. We must not forget about this direction. It is imperative to get rid of the provoking factor.

2) Local skin treatment.

Always done.
Creams, ointments, shampoos, sprays and solutions with antifungal (antimycotic) agents are used.

Exactly the same treatment regimen when using the following local antifungal agents:

clotrimazole (cream or solution),
miconazole (cream),
terbinafine (Lamisil) – cream,
fungoterbin (spray or gel),
oxiconazole (cream),
termikon (spray or cream).

If lichen versicolor affects areas with hair growth (on the head, groin, labia or penis), it is better to use sprays or solutions of the above-mentioned drugs rather than ointments or creams.

3) General treatment.

Mandatory:

for widespread lesions over large areas of skin,
with weakened immunity,
if local treatment is ineffective after 2 weeks.

But a number of dermatologists advise always using systemic antifungal drugs simultaneously with creams or ointments. The effectiveness of this treatment is higher due to its effect on fungi in the hair follicles.

Attention: general treatment without local treatment is ineffective!

Antifungal drugs are prescribed in tablets or capsules that must be taken orally.

Fluconazole (150 mg capsules). How to take: 2 capsules 1 time per week for a course of 2 weeks. That is, we took 2 capsules on Monday, and a week later - 2 more capsules. Fast, cheap and effective.
Itraconazole – 200 mg once a day – for 1 week.
Ketoconazole - 200 mg once a day - for 3-4 weeks.

Approximate treatment plan for pityriasis versicolor

Fluconazole – 2 capsules 1 time per week – course 2 weeks.
Nizoral shampoo - wash your hair and body every evening for the first week. And every other day - 2 and 3 weeks.
Instead of Nizoral, you can use Thermikon spray for the body - apply once a day to the affected areas for 3 weeks.
Salicylic acid – lubricate the affected areas once a day in the morning.
Taking multivitamins (Complivit, Selmevit and others).
A set of activities to improve immunity.

Treatment of pityriasis versicolor during pregnancy

Peculiarities:

You should not take any antifungal agents orally, as they may have a negative effect on the fetus.
Externally, locally, it is best to use Nizoral shampoo. And only in cases where the benefit to the mother’s body outweighs the risk to the fetus. Treatment should be agreed with your gynecologist.
In most cases, it is better to wait until childbirth and then carry out a full course of treatment.
Remember: the pathogen has no effect on the fetus and does not affect childbirth.

When breastfeeding

Do not take medications internally.
Do not apply ointments or creams to your breasts.

How to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment?

The first symptom should disappear - peeling on the spots.
The spots should go away, at least the pink and brown ones. White spots may persist for some time until the skin evenly tans in the sun.
There should be no mushrooms or threads of fungal mycelium in the skin scrapings.

Prevention

Remember: just because the stains are gone, it doesn't mean they won't come back. The disease is chronic and cannot be cured forever. Therefore, prevention is mandatory!

Taking ketoconazole - 400 mg once a month - every month. Or taking another antifungal drug.
In the month of May, before the summer period begins: Nizoral shampoo - wash once a day - 3 days in a row.
Wash clothes at 95% for the entire treatment period.
Iron clothes with a hot iron for the entire treatment period.
Do not wear synthetic clothing - it does not absorb sweat.
In case of excessive sweating: use antiperspirants and change clothes frequently!
Treatment of all diseases and correction of conditions that led to the appearance of pityriasis versicolor.
Strengthening the immune system using different methods is a must!!!
Is it possible to go to the solarium and sunbathe? During treatment - not allowed. After treatment, you can and even need to lightly sunbathe in the sun, since sunlight kills the pathogen - the fungus.

Folk remedies at home
In fact, modern antifungal drugs are not so expensive that they cannot be treated effectively. Folk remedies for pityriasis versicolor are ineffective, since they do not act on the cause (fungus) and do not have an antifungal effect when taken orally. Although traditional methods can be used as an additional treatment.

Relapse prevention can also be done using folk remedies at home.

1) Tar soap - soap the affected areas once a day.

2) Boric acid or boric alcohol - lubricate stains 2-3 times a day.

3) 1 part 3% vinegar + 1 part iodine tincture – mix in a glass, wipe the spots on the skin once a day.

4) Vinegar 3% - lubricate the affected areas of the skin 2 times a day.

5) A decoction of the string herb - moisten a gauze cloth with the decoction and apply to the affected areas 2-3 times a day.

6) Decoction of celandine herb - moisten a gauze cloth with the decoction and apply to the affected areas 2-3 times a day.

7) Salicylic acid. On Internet forums, many advise treating lichen versicolor with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic agent, that is, it removes the exfoliating stratum corneum of the skin. But this remedy does not work at all on the cause of the disease - the fungus. Therefore, it can only be used in combination with other folk or pharmaceutical drugs.

8) Formic alcohol - lubricate the affected areas of the skin once a day. Often combined with sulfur ointment - first wipe the skin with alcohol, then apply the ointment.

9) Sulfur ointment – apply to the skin once a day, in the evening.

10) In the summer - sunbathe in the sun.

11) Taking multivitamin preparations is mandatory.

– a skin disease that is expressed in a number of characteristic symptoms and significantly worsens a person’s well-being. Ointment for ringworm– an effective topical remedy that eliminates manifestations of the disease such as rashes, inflammation and severe itching. When visiting a doctor, the patient can be sure that he will be recommended the most suitable remedy. The choice depends on the type of lichen, as well as the stage of development of the disease. Most patients know what helps zinc ointment for lichen, but there are quite a lot of similar drugs.

How to choose an effective ointment against lichen?

When choosing, you must be guided by the type of disease that the patient has. So, for a mild form (this is pityriasis rosea) drugs with an aggressive composition are not required, while an advanced disease is treated with ointments based on steroid hormones, antifungal and antiviral agents.

Hormonal ointment for lichen in humans used only as prescribed by a doctor. Such topical drugs cannot be used for a long time, as they have many side effects.

The danger of self-medication is that the patient may experience allergic reactions associated with intolerance to a certain component. In addition, in the early stages the symptoms of different types of lichen are similar, so there is a significant risk of choosing the wrong remedy

The most effective ointments

The most common treatments used to treat symptoms are: ointments for lichen:

sulfur-salicylic;
salicylic-zinc;
salicylic ointment;
simple sulfur;
Clotrimazole;
Sinalar;
Flucinar;
Zovirax;
Herperax;
Lamisil;
Yam BK ointment for lichen;
Mycoseptin;
Acigerpin;
Sinaflan;
Viru-Merz;
Celestoderm;
hydrocortisone ointment;
Triamcinolone.

Each Name a product that helps fight the manifestations of lichen on human skin, has instructions for use. It must be strictly followed in order to control the treatment process and prevent adverse reactions.

Ointments for pityriasis rosea

To find out what ointment for lichen is better suited for the treatment of Gibert's disease, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

– the mildest form of this skin disease. Although in most cases it goes away on its own, even without the use of ointments, treatment is prescribed if the patient is bothered by severe itching.

For Zhiber's disease, which occurs when the herpes virus is activated, Panavir is recommended. This is a plant-based gel of plant origin. It is characterized by an anti-inflammatory effect and also has an immunomodulatory effect. Panavir reduces itching for pityriasis rosea. It does not cause allergies and promotes rapid healing of affected skin.

Against deprivation You can also use salicylic-zinc paste. This is an antiseptic that relieves redness and discolors lichen plaques. Using the paste allows you to even out your skin tone.

What ointments are used for ringworm and versicolor?

Ringworms are caused by fungal microorganisms, which is why antifungal ointments are used to treat them. These include:

Yam ointment for lichen. The drug belongs to the group of veterinary medications, but it is also used in the treatment of human skin. This ointment contains salicylic acid, creolin, and sulfur. The active components have a pronounced antiseptic effect. Yam ointment for lichen in humans does not irritate the skin;
ointment for lichen Clotrimazole. The product allows you to effectively destroy fungi, thereby eliminating the manifestations of the disease;
Terbinafine. The product is produced in the form of ointment, cream, spray. Suitable for effective treatment of ringworm on smooth skin;
tar ointment. Tar has a disinfecting effect, positively affecting inflamed areas.

These drugs help get rid of from tubular lichen, which is also of fungal origin and often occurs against the background of diseases such as rheumatism or diabetes.

The course of treatment with the above drugs is determined by the attending physician.

YAM BK ointment for lichen: characteristic features

One of best ointments for lichen in humans it is considered Yam BK. Although this product has a sharp, unpleasant odor, it does not pose a danger to humans, being a low-toxic product.

Often, when they are interested, what ointment to treat lichen, this particular drug is recommended. This is due to the fact that it contains the following effective components:

salicylic acid;
sulfur;
zinc oxide;
gum turpentine;
phenolic-free creolin;
birch tar.

The natural composition of the ointment will allow you to:

Application of sulfur ointment

Sulfur ointment is effective for ringworm, flat, pityriasis versicolor. Before applying the product, it is recommended to wipe the skin with salicylic alcohol. At treatment of deprivation with sulfur ointment under the influence of the active components of the drug, pathogenic bacteria die, dead cells are eliminated.

This ringworm ointment for children not suitable if they are under 2 years old. Due to its toxicity and ability to cause allergic reactions, it should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

What ointments are suitable for treating lichen in children?

Treatment should be based on drugs with the most gentle composition. The following drugs are suitable:

Clotrimazole for ringworm. The product must be applied to the affected areas carefully, in a thin layer. It is suitable for the treatment of ringworm;
Solcoseryl. The product heals wounds and erosions. Suitable for the treatment of red lichen;
Sinalar. Effective ointment destroys bacteria and accelerates the healing process of the skin. Used to eliminate pityriasis rosea;
ringworm cream Pimafucin. This is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug. Since Pimafucin cream It has a minimum number of contraindications and can be used as a treatment for children under one year of age.

If the child has symptoms lichen on the head, which is observed quite often, the damaged areas are treated with Triderm or Nizoral ointments. They can only be used from two years of age.

Resolve the issue of how to treat lichen in a child, it is necessary only with a dermatologist and pediatrician to prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions in the child.

Homemade ointments

There are recipes for ointments that you can prepare with your own hands to treat lichen.

Take raw grated beets and natural honey in equal parts (for example, 50 grams), mix, apply to the affected areas, leave for several hours;
mix a teaspoon of citric acid with three tablespoons of olive oil. Gently rub the resulting mixture into the affected areas and leave for an hour.

From deprivation for humans can be used Vishnevsky ointment– a drug that contains tar. This component is a natural antiseptic that inhibits pathogenic microorganisms, accelerates the healing process, disinfects the skin and renews it.

Those who treat lichen at home often wonder: Is it possible to smear lichen with brilliant green? This is not recommended if there are ulcers on the skin. Only unopened bubbles can be lubricated with the product. Thanks to brilliant green, you can disinfect the skin and also note the appearance of new rashes.

How to treat lichen in humans? This disease requires an integrated approach: the use of ointments is only part of the therapeutic process. A specialist will help you choose an effective remedy. There are quite a lot of their names, and not every one is suitable for a specific type of lichen.

Tinea versicolor (also called pityriasis versicolor) can appear as multi-colored spots of varying sizes on the skin. The disease is fungal in nature.

The causative agent is considered to be the skin fungus pityrosporum oval, which lives on the skin of almost every person. The fungus affects the stratum corneum of the skin and the cuticle of the hair.

The age of patients suffering from the disease usually ranges from 7 to 40 years.

When a person's immune system is weakened, this fungus becomes active and begins to act aggressively. It is especially dangerous with a certain chemical composition of sweat, with increased sweating and disruption of the basic physiological processes of the skin.

Sometimes the causes of tinea versicolor may be disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, the functioning of the autonomic and central nervous systems.

Other causes of lichen are hormonal imbalances, in particular due to the use of oral contraceptives.

There is an opinion that tinea versicolor can occur against the background of tuberculosis, asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases.

Characteristics of the disease

The disease is not dangerous to human life, but there is little aesthetics in it. In the sun, light spots appear. And if the skin is hidden under clothing, the spots will be red or brownish. Over time they expand and merge.

Pityriasis versicolor can have 2 forms:

Erythematosquamous (non-inflammatory spots appear from brown to café au lait).
Follicular (papules with ulcers appear).

Usually the spots appear asymmetrically on the chest and back. They are less common on other parts of the body. But if they do, it’s on the arms, neck, and stomach.

Photo

It is extremely rare that pityriasis versicolor spots appear on the face. The spots show peeling skin, similar to flour.

Tinea versicolor does not cause unpleasant itching, at least in its most common form. But if the disease is not treated, the spots will darken and increase in size.

There are cases of damage to the scalp under the hair. The hair itself does not suffer at all. This type of lichen is extremely poorly diagnosed and treated, and relapses are often observed after treatment.

Tinea versicolor - contagious or not?

The disease is not contagious. As mentioned above, the causative fungus lives quietly on healthy skin in normal condition.

Symptoms occur only if the immune system is weakened and there are serious malfunctions in the functioning of any body system.

Treatment process

It is important to make a diagnosis before treatment. The easiest way is to cover the skin with an alcohol solution of iodine. The affected areas will be the most brightly colored.

Special ointments against ringworm:

In addition, Lamisil spray, sulfur ointment, salicylic alcohol and other drugs are used.

All medications must be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication can be harmful.

Ointments are applied to the skin 2 times a day for a two-week course. To enhance the effect of medications, shampoo with selenium is also applied to the spots (if the disease has affected the scalp). The medicated shampoo is used at night and washed off with water in the morning. You can try ketokenazole or nizoral as medicated shampoos.

Among the effective tablet preparations are terbizil or rumicosis, which have fungicidal properties.

Traditional methods of treatment

There are quite a few traditional methods of treating this disease. The simplest one is wiping. You can, for example, wipe the affected skin with onion juice and burdock oil 3 times a day.

Celandine is an excellent folk remedy for healing skin diseases:

After a month, you can start taking the medicine 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. The medicine must be stored in the refrigerator.

Highly effective folk remedies include garlic, tar, apple cider vinegar, and cranberry juice.

Pine baths are effective for skin fungus. Pine needles can be used with tansy flowers. The number of needles and tansy for 1 bath is 1 liter jar. You can add another 1 kg of sea salt. The course of treatment is also designed for 2 weeks. Baths should be taken right before bed.

Prevention

As you know, the best method of treatment is prevention. To avoid illness, you must carefully and constantly follow the rules of hygiene. It is especially important to monitor sweating and not wear synthetic underwear and clothing.

But the main thing is to strengthen the immune system. To do this, you need to monitor your diet: eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, drink more water.

An excellent way to prevent tinea versicolor is natural tanning in the sun. To protect yourself from skin diseases, it is better not to sunbathe with wet skin and use sunscreen.

The appearance of pityriasis versicolor is caused by a fungal infection. The disease is common in places with a warm and humid climate, and hyperfunction of the sweat glands is also recognized as a provoking factor. All the causes of lichen versicolor in humans, the symptoms and treatment of the pathology are described below.

Tinea versicolor - what kind of disease is it?

Lichen versicolor is an infectious pathology of the skin, usually not accompanied by an inflammatory process. The causative agent is an opportunistic fungus of the genus Pityrosporum, which affects the stratum corneum of the skin, leading to the appearance of yellowish-brown or pink spots (see photo).

Tinea versicolor - photo of a person

Treatment is aimed at eliminating formations and is primarily aesthetic in nature. The course of the disease is long, but it is not transmitted to other people and has no complications.

Types of versicolor:

Inverted, in which spots form in the folds of the skin - in the armpits, under the mammary glands, on the inner folds of the limbs - and are not inflammatory in nature.
Erythematous-squamous - also non-inflammatory, the spots are localized in different places on the body and have different sizes.
Follicular - this type of lichen is accompanied by inflammation; the spots contain ulcers up to 3 mm, while they itch and cause discomfort. This form of the disease develops in severe cases, for example, after therapy with hormonal drugs or antibiotics, with.

Causes of pityriasis versicolor

Pityrosporum fungi, which cause tinea versicolor, live in small quantities on the skin of a healthy person, forming part of the normal microflora, and are in the form of Pityrosporum orbiculare. Under certain conditions, they begin to multiply and transform into their pathogenic forms:

Pityrosporum ovale is an oval-shaped fungus that causes primary damage to the stratum corneum;
Malassezia furfur - is activated with the further development of the disease, after the formation of spots, penetrating into deeper layers and forming mycelium.

All three named forms are varieties of one type of yeast-like fungi, and the provoking causes of the appearance of pityriasis versicolor are:

increased sweat production - in hot weather, during high physical exertion, against the background of pathologies;
poor unbalanced diet;
illnesses with a regular increase in temperature;
long-term use of antimicrobial drugs, oral contraceptives or glucocorticoids;
alkaline sweat environment caused by obesity, diabetes, malignant neoplasms;
hereditary predisposition;
living in countries of the tropical or subtropical zone, for comparison - in the tropics up to 40% of the population faces this pathology, in the temperate zone only up to 5%;
age up to 10 and after 55 years.

Decreased immunity is not considered by doctors as one of the main predisposing factors or causes of lichen versicolor. Pityrosporum fungi are not transmitted from person to person, that is, this form of lichen is not contagious, despite its infectious nature.

Symptoms of multicolored lichen in humans - photo

photo of symptoms of versicolor in humans

One of the main symptoms of versicolor is the appearance of spots of varying sizes on the skin. More often they are localized in the upper region of the body - on the shoulders, chest, abdomen, groin, arms, back - and have a round or oval shape and uneven edges.

Sometimes they appear on the genitals, scalp, face and never affect the feet and hands.

As the disease progresses from 3-4 mm, they increase to larger sizes and can unite into large spots, forming different shapes. On their surface, tiny light dry scales are visible, when combed, peeling begins.

The less often the sick person washes the body, the more pronounced it is. In patients who shower or bathe every day, the scales are almost invisible, since dead skin particles are constantly washed off with water.

The spots on the skin with lichen versicolor are flat, not raised, not affected by inflammation, do not have a clear delimiting contour and are separated from healthy skin only by their color. They may be slightly or moderately itchy, and hair may sometimes fall out in the affected area of the body, with the exception of the scalp.

The shade of the spots of multi-colored lichen can be light pink, brown, yellowish or red. In this case, spots of different colors may appear on the body of one person.

the manifestations are quite different, this is clearly visible in the photo

After tanning, the spots become light to white and flake intensely. Moreover, severe peeling due to exposure to the sun can sometimes lead to self-healing of lichen. This is explained by the separation of all keratinized cells affected by the fungus. However, it is not recommended to sunbathe specifically for the purpose of treatment.

The main harm that lichen versicolor brings to a person is its unattractive appearance and psychological discomfort.

The pathology does not cause complications dangerous to life and health. often diagnosed in childhood and adolescence. Its symptoms and forms are similar to those in adults.

Tinea versicolor in children often develops due to wearing too warm and synthetic clothing, especially in hot weather, as well as due to taking medications.

Treatment of multicolored lichen, drugs and ointments

In some cases, self-healing is observed, but drugs carefully selected by the doctor can get rid of multicolored lichen much faster. After recovery, the spots still remain on the skin for 2-4 months, gradually disappearing without a trace.

The general tactics for treating lichen versicolor with drugs is as follows:

Treatment of the skin with antifungal and keratolytic ointments alternately.
The use of special shampoos when localizing lesions in the scalp.
Taking antifungal tablets if local remedies are ineffective.

Examples of specific drugs are presented below.

Local remedies

Antifungal ointments for lichen versicolor act directly on the fungus, inhibiting its activity. Compositions based on:

ketoconazole - Mycoquet, Nizoral, Sebozol, Dermazol;
clotrimazole - Imidil, Funginal, Kanizon, Amyclone;
econazole - Ecodax, Ifenek;
sertaconazole - Sertaconazole, Zalain, Sertaconazole;
miconazole - Mycozon, Daktarin;
terbinafine - Lamisil, Dermgel, Myconorm, Exifin;
bifonazole - Mikospor, Bifasam;
naftifina - Exoderil, Mycoderil.

Keratolytics are needed to soften, actively exfoliate dead cells from the surface of the skin, and cleanse it. When treating lichen versicolor, the following keratolytic agents are used:

Salicylic ointment 5%;
5-10% glycolic acid solution;
chatter with tar;
alcohols - resorcinol 5%, salicylic 3-5% or a combination thereof.

Pills

If within a month the use of external agents does not bring results, antifungal medications are prescribed for oral administration. Most often these are tablets based on:

ketoconazole - Nizoral, Fungavis, Mycozoral, Oronazole;
itraconazole - Canditral, Teknazol, Miconihol;
fluconazole - Nofung, Flucostat, Ciskan, Mikomax.

Shampoos

If the scalp is affected by tinea versicolor, regular shampoo should be replaced with a medicated one. It may contain ketoconazole (Nizoral, Sebozol, Keto-plus) or other active substances:

selenium sulfide - Sulsen Forte, Sulsena;
Zinc pyrithione - Keto-plus, Skin-cap.

Folk remedies for the treatment of versicolor can only reduce the intensity of peeling and soften the skin, but do not affect the activity of the pathogen. Therefore, the use of vinegar, herbal infusions and decoctions cannot be considered as an alternative to drug therapy.

During treatment, it is important to follow some recommendations:

Wash linen and towels in very hot water;
after washing, iron the laundry on both sides;
carry out daily cleaning;
Treat washcloths and other hygiene items with boiling water and soap or antifungal solutions.

Sunbathing is contraindicated because ultraviolet rays can cause pseudoleukoderma, in which the affected areas turn white.

During therapy and after recovery, it is necessary to harden yourself, enrich your diet with fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs, and maintain a healthy work and rest regime. To prevent the development of a relapse of the disease, it is useful to take 1 tablet of an antifungal agent every month.

Forecast

The pathology can last for many years without causing serious harm other than discomfort and aesthetic inconvenience. Lichen versicolor responds well to treatment, has no serious complications and does not pose a threat to life and health.

In some cases, folliculitis can be an unpleasant consequence, in which the hair follicles on the chest and back become inflamed, but this disease is also well treated.

With illiterate self-medication or without therapy, lesions can be present on the skin for a long time, and the disease can be replaced by periods of remission (in summer) and exacerbations.