See the Causes of Tinea versicolor in the Face and How to Prevent it

Having tinea versicolor on the face will certainly be very disturbing appearance. This skin problem is caused by a fungal infection, and is often considered a disease that arises due to lack of maintaining bodily hygiene. If you have this, a variety of ways need to be done to eliminate tinea versicolor on the face. Tinea versicolor itself is a skin disease that is often found in tropical and humid countries, including Indonesia. This skin disease occurs due to Malassezia fungal infections found on the surface of the skin and develops very quickly. The weather is humid and hot, the production of excessive sweating, oily skin, to a weak immune system, is believed to be a risk factor for the appearance of tinea versicolor on the face. Besides occurring on the face, tinea versicolor can also appear on the back, chest, neck and upper arms. Tinea versicolor often appears unnoticed, especially if it occurs on the skin that is not visible. When a person has phlegm, symptoms that are commonly experienced are:

• Changes in skin color to white, red, and even brown.
• Parts of the skin affected by phlegm will feel itchy and rough (scaly).

Not infrequently, tinea versicolor on the face is often equated with pityriasis alba, because the symptoms caused by these two diseases are similar, namely in the form of vaginal discharge that appears around the face and neck. Although similar to fungal infections, the treatment of alba pityriasis is different. White patches on the face due to pityriasis alba are generally not treated with antifungal drugs, but with moisturizers, corticosteroid ointments, and avoiding sun exposure. This condition can also often heal itself without special treatment.

How to deal with tinea versicolor in the face

Although tinea versicolor is not a dangerous disease, but its presence makes some people feel uncomfortable, especially when tinea versicolor appears on the face. For this reason, various treatments will be carried out to remove tinea versicolor on the face, including:

• Antifungal cream and shampoo

This is a form of tinea versicolor medicine that is commonly used. The use of antifungal creams and shampoos is quite effective in treating infections caused by Malassezia fungus. Choose an antifungal cream or shampoo that contains miconazole, selenium sulfide, or clotrimazole. To reduce the risk of side effects that may be caused on the skin, always consult your doctor before using it.

• Antifungal drugs

If the use of antifungal creams or shampoos is not effective for removing tinea versicolor on the face, you can use antifungal tablets. Antifungal tablets work effectively to treat tinea versicolor which is more widespread. Although very effective, antifungal tablets can cause side effects such as abdominal pain and the appearance of rashes on the skin. To get the right antifungal medication, you need to consult a doctor.

In general, both treatments are effective for treating infections that cause tinea versicolor. However, to restore the color of the face to the original skin takes weeks or even months. If treatment independently does not provide satisfactory results on tinea versicolor on the face, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.

Preventing tinea versicolor in the face

Keep in mind, tinea versicolor on the face can reappear even though it has been treated. To prevent recurrence, it is important to pay attention to the triggers for tinea versicolor. Here are some ways to prevent the appearance of tinea versicolor on the face:

• Avoid using skin care products that contain oil.
• Avoid being exposed to direct sunlight. If the sun's rays cannot be avoided, consider using sunscreen before doing outdoor activities.
• Keep the face dry and clean. Routinely clean your face and dry it immediately. If the face often sweats, do not forget to dry it immediately, so that the fungus that causes tinea versicolor is not easy to grow.
• Try to always be in a cool, dry room.

If tinea versicolor in the face continues to come back after doing various methods as described above, immediately consult a doctor to get an examination and proper treatment.