Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Sep;11(9):5236-5240.
doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2317_21. Epub 2022 Oct 14.

Epidemiological, clinical and mycological characteristics of pityriasis versicolor: Results of a study from a teaching hospital in rural part of Northern India

Pooja Singla  1 , Nidhi R Sharma  2 , Pratibha Mane  1 , Anant Patil  3 , Jyoti Sangwan  1 , Sudhanshu Sharma  2
Affiliations

Epidemiological, clinical and mycological characteristics of pityriasis versicolor: Results of a study from a teaching hospital in rural part of Northern India

Pooja Singla et al. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Pityriasis versicolor is a common fungal infection of the skin which leads to the formation of scaly and discoloured small lesions on skin. The main objective of this study is to describe clinical and mycological characteristics and the predisposing factors in patients with pityriasis versicolor.

Material and methods: In this prospective, observational, hospital-based cross-sectional study, patients of all ages with clinically suspected lesions of pityriasis versicolor were included. After detailed history and thorough clinical examination, skin scrapings were examined with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) under light microscope. The scrapings were also subjected to culture examination.

Results: A total of 113 patients [78 (69.0%) male; 35 (31%) female] were included in the study. A total of 87 (76.9%) patients were from rural area. Outdoor occupation and positive family history of pityriasis versicolor was present in 65 (57.5%) and 38 (33.6%) patients, respectively. Recurrent episodes were reported by 66 (60%) patients. Excessive sweating and oily skin were seen in 36 (31.8%) and 24 (21.1%) patients, respectively. History of occlusive clothing was present in 22 (19.4%) patients. Chest, back, and shoulders were affected in 36 (31.8%), 22 (19.4%), and 08 (07.0%) patients, respectively. Hypopigmented lesions were seen in 97 (85.8%) patients. Patches and macules were observed in 60 (53.1%) and 53 (46.9%) patients, respectively. A total of 27 (23.8%) patients reported mild prutitus. A total of 79 (69.9%) patients were KOH positive and culture negative, whereas 26 (23.0%) patients were KOH as well as culture positive. Eight (7.0%) patients were both KOH and culture negative.

Conclusion: Pytiriasis versicolor is more common in young adults and males with the most common presentation of hypopigmentation lesions. In our study population, presentation with large patches was more common than macular lesions. Pruritus was more in patients with large patches than those with macules.

Keywords: Hypopigmentation; KOH; pityriasis versicolor; rural population; symptoms.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Image showing large hypopigmented lesions on back in Pityriasis versicolor
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mycological characteristics of P. versicolor
Figure 3
Figure 3
Image showing Spaghetti and meatball appearance in pityriasis versicolor under KOH microscopy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Kaushik A, Pinto HP, Bhat RM, Sukumar D, Srinath MK. A study of the prevalence and precipitating factors of pruritus in pityriasis versicolor. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5:223–4. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Gupta AK, Kogan N, Batra R. Pityriasis versicolor: A review of pharmacological treatment options. Expert OpinPharmacother. 2005;6:165–78. - PubMed
    1. Ghosh SK, Dey SK, Saha I, Barbhuiya JN, Ghosh A, Roy AK. Pityriasis versicolor: A clinicomycological and epidemiological study from a tertiary care hospital. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53:182–5. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Rao GS, Kuruvilla M, Kumar P, Vinod V. Clinico- epidermiological studies on tinea versicolor. Indian J Dermatol VenereolLeprol. 2002;68:208–9. - PubMed
    1. DeAngelis YM, Saunders CW, Johnstone KR, Reeder NL, Coleman CG, Kaczvinsky JR, Jr, et al. Isolation and expression of a Malassezia globosalipase gene, LIP1. J Invest Dermatol. 2007;127:2138–46. - PubMed