Discoloration

Mar 7, 2012

Myrna P.

WARNING: Long BUT Informative-PLEASE READ

I thought it would be a nifty idea to post this topic. Not many talk about it and it’s a skin condition that keeps coming.

I started to notice some discoloration on my back. It is a pain in the neck. I started to become self conscious and insecure. It is clearly more pronounced in the summer months than any other throughout the year. The spots can appear pale or dark as well.

I took a picture of my beginning process and will post after I see if the treatment I am currently under will work.

The first step to treating Tinea Versicolor is to get a bottle of shampoo like Selsun Blue, because it contains selenium sulfide which is an anti-fungal treatment. Lather the shampoo liberally onto the affected areas of the skin. Allow it to soak for at least 1 to 2 minutes and rinse it off entirely. After showering, dry the body off as quickly and thoroughly as possible. This is important because the moisture can strengthen the fungus.

Wash some white rice. Put the rice in a bowl with water. Water should be higher than the rice. The rice will then release the excess starch. Save the water and apply it on the infected areas. Let it air dry.

After drying off, an anti-fungal cream is needed and can be applied directly onto the affected area(s) with a cotton swab or cotton ball. Massage the cream so that it is absorbed by the skin, and does not rub off when clothing is put on. It is a good idea to let the product penetrate onto into the skin before dressing. This should be done once a day while continuing the shampooing. Refrain from applying the product with the hands because of risk of irritating the skin and getting the cream into the eyes.

You can use products such as Lotrimin, Curex or any other cream with anti-fungal ingredients. Be sure that the label says anti-fungal for treatment of ringworm, jock itch and/or athlete's foot, which are also caused by fungal infections. These will have an active ingredient of miconazole nitrate or butenafine hydrochloride 1 to 2%.

Once treating the condition at home for 10 to 14 days, there should be a difference in the condition of the skin. However, the discoloration will still be visible for some time to come. Continue to shampoo for at least another month, EVEN if it seems that the infection is gone. Commitment is particularly beneficial when treating and preventing Tinea Versicolor.

I chose to do this the natural way! After 8 trips to the dermatologist's office and the situation getting worse, I need to find hope somewhere else.

This type of infections occur to those who live in hot and humid conditions, have oily skin, have excessive sweating and/or weakened immune system, people who have taken medications such as antibiotics, corticosteroids or birth control pills.


To learn more about Tinea Versicolor please click on this link -->http://www.medicinenet.com/tinea_versicolor/article.htm

Mar 7, 2012

Ari M.

very interesting... I have this on my stomach area and lower back. everything i go to the beach to tan it shows more since my skin darkens but the fungus infected skin doesn't.. i never knew what it was called.. 

Mar 7, 2012

Crystal S.

Have you tried using essential oils along with this treatment?

Mar 8, 2012

Myrna P.

Ari- You should try this and try to avoid tanning. Believe me, I know how hard that is. I love to tan. The Fungus is actually protecting the skin from tanning. Anything with AntiFungal treatment is useful here.

Crystal- I have. What would you recommend?

I found this website with alternative treatments. What do you think? http://www.vashonorganics.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=treatment_symptoms_tinea_versicolor.htm

Remember Fungus likes nothing acidic 

Mar 8, 2012

Melanie G.

Thank you for posting about this. I have a similar condition on my stomach, and anti-fungal creams have had a positive effect. It wasn't until I switched my brand of birth control pill that the condition really went away almost to the point where I can't see it anymore...so I think that is what was causing it in my case.

Mar 8, 2012

Ari M.

@ Myrna,
Im definitely trying this.. I started to notice the discoloration about 2 years ago and thought it was due to me burning the previous year. Tanning this summer will be hard not to do, i live in fl and its always hot here.. :(

Mar 8, 2012

Crystal S.

Jojoba mixed with peppermint,tea tree,and clove 

Mar 9, 2012

Miss O.

Hi! I created an account just to respond to this post. I had the same diagnosis a few years ago of tinea versicolor and antifungal creams would not work and actually made it worse. It wasn't until I went to a dermatologist that specializes specifically in skin of color that I found out that I had been misdiagnosed like most ppl with PMH are and instead had Progressive Macular hypomelanosis. The reason why the creams hadn't been working was because it was not caused by a fungus but instead a bacteria. So double check with your dermatologist.

Mar 20, 2012

Myrna P.

Miss O. I was thinking about getting a second opinion because no matter what I do, it feels like it is spreading. This can cause some serious depression and insecurities. I was surprised to learn how many others were affected with this skin condition. Please if you learn more, share with us.

Thanks Crystal for the advice. Going to try this out, something has to work.

Mar 20, 2012

Bee K.

If it's bacteria, a great natural healing bath is a turmeric healing bath. Turmeric has Both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. (It's great for acne too)... If you're not familiar with turmeric, it's a yellowish spice found in Indian curries (commonly found in powder form) but looks like ginger root in its original form.