Symptoms

Symptoms of tinea versicolor include:

• A rash of small circular or oval spots that may eventually form patches. The spots are flat and may be white, pink, red, tan, or brown.
• Itching, especially when you are hot. But itching isn't always present.

Most people are more distressed by the appearance of their skin than by the itching.

The rash occurs on oily areas of skin, commonly on the upper chest and back, and less commonly on the upper thighs, upper arms, or neck. Rashes on the face are rare but may appear in children.

The spots of the rash usually appear lighter than the rest of your skin because they don't tan. In untanned individuals and in African Americans, the spots may appear darker than the surrounding skin (hyperpigmented). The spotted skin may be scaly, especially if it is lightly scratched.

During the summer in mild climates, the spots may be very noticeable because they don't tan with the rest of your skin. During the winter, the spots may seem to go away as your tan fades, making the spots less obvious.

In tropical climates with high heat and humidity, the appearance of the spots may not change throughout the year.

Tinea versicolor usually gets better or disappears as you age and your skin becomes less oily.

Tinea versicolor is sometimes confused with other conditions with similar symptoms, such as vitiligo or pityriasis rosea.