What is Tinea Versicolor?

Even though the name sound complex and might indicate some types of severe disease, it is the term used to describe a common fungal infection on the skin^[1][2].

This fungus remains all the time on skin; however, when there is excessive growth of the fungus, then the infections occur. The infection will take consequences on your skin which is leaving patches of skin with lighter or darker than the color of the original skin. Also these patches will often appear on the upper arms, neck and even go down to back and chest.

Those skin patches are not contagious or causing any pain. However, sometimes they might be itchy and irritating. Also this problem has another name which is pityriasis Versicolor which indicates that the skin is grainy and appears in many colors from white to tan and brown, even pink or some other exotic color.

What causes Tinea Versicolor?

A type of fungus name Malassezia is the main culprit for this infection. It causes infection through disrupting the pigmentation of normal skin, thus create scaly skin patches with different color.

This fungus will release an acid which will obstruct the manufacture of melanin that is a pigment with skin color functioning. Also for this infection, the poorness in hygiene does not play the main role at all.

What are The Risk Factors For Tinea Versicolor?

When To See Your Doctors?

In case you are suffering from Tinea Versicolor symptoms, you had better treat the issue yourself. It is reported that the over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal medications can help remove the discolored patches of your skin. Nevertheless, you need to see the doctor if those cures do not bring about effectiveness. In this situation, you might need a prescription medication to aid in controlling the symptoms.

Most people may ask how long it takes to return to the normal skin. The answer is if you have tinea versicolor, don’t worry since effective treatment can promote your long-term outlook. But, you should take a note that even after getting rid of the infection, the skin can remain discolored in some weeks or months according to the treatment. Your infection can be back as the weather is warmer or more humid. If it returns, make sure to meet the doctor right away so that he can provide you with a prescribe medication for several months to keep the symptoms away.

Symptoms of Tinea Versicolor

The most obvious sign is the scaly skin patches appeared and those patches can possess the color of either darker or lighter than the areas around them.

You might find those patches appear anywhere on your body; however, most common places are trunk and shoulders. Another characteristic of those patches is that they have sharp borderlines and also they don’t get dark under sunlight.

Therefore, one way to identify those patches is get tan as those patches will be revealed clearly.

This infection might come and go depended on the temperature and seasons and also there are few more minor symptoms such as itchiness, scaly skin and more sweat.

In hot and humid climate, you might witness more growth of this fungus. Young adults as well as teens are the most vulnerable; however, it doesn’t mean other group ages are excluded. If you have the characteristics as below, you might have higher chances to get infections.

• Excessive sweat
• Vulnerable immune system
• Oily skin
• Lack of nutrition
• Using birth-control pills
• Pregnancy
• Diagnosed with diabetes
• On medication containing corticosteroids

Best Home Remedies for Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is not contagious but the infection can make yourself feel less and less confident, inflict emotional distress and gradually you will become self-conscious.

Here are the top 15 most effective remedies which can assist you in speeding up the disappearance of this infection as well as restore your beautiful skin back to how it is in the first place…

1. Tea Tree Oil

With anti-fungal property, tea tree oil can help contain the infection’s spreading as well as prevent it from occur again^[3][4]. Also tea tree oil can relieve you from the itchy feeling. It is also known as a tinea versicolor natural treatment. Many peole ask how to use tea tree oil for tinea versicolor and here are simple steps to help you easily perform at home. 

How to use:

• Mix approximately 7 drops of this oil with a teaspoon of either coconut or olive oil.
• Use a cotton ball to apply the oil the affected skin.
• Let it dry, after that, cleanse with warm water and keep the affected skin dry.
• Perform twice per day for couples of week.

For more information about the application of tea tree oil, please read: Home Remedies for Scar Removal and Whiteheads.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the most workable home remedies for tinea versicolor. The fatty acids which are medium-chain found in coconut oil is often considered a fungicide from nature^[5][6]. You should use coconut oil for tinea versicolor cures if tea tree oil does not bring positive outcomes. 

How to use:

Directly apply the oil onto the affected skin and let it dry.

• Another option is mixing a tablespoon of coconut oil with approximately 6 drops of cinnamon oil. Directly apply the mixture onto the affected areas. After 20 minutes, cleanse with warm water.
• Perform 2 to 3 times per day until the infection disappears.

Coconut oil is very popular as a home remedy, you can find out more at: Home Remedies for Armpit Lumps and Dark Circles.

3. Aloe Vera

Containing protein with anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, aloe vera is a tinea versicolor natural cures because it can help stop the spreading of infection as well as improve the healing of injured skin^[7][8].

How to use:

• Extract the gel and apply directly onto the affected skin. Perform 2 to 3 times per day for couples of week.
• Another option is mixing a teaspoon of gel with few drops of lavender oil and applying directly onto the affected skin. Perform 2 to 3 times per day.

For more information about the benefits and applications of Aloe Vera as a home remedy, please read: Home Remedies for Sagging Skin and Puffy Eyes.

4. Yogurt

Containing probiotic, yogurt can be considered as among excellent home remedies for tinea versicolor infections related to fungus. Also by using the unsweetened one, it can help you speed up the healing process as well as prevent infection from happening again.

How to use:

• Directly apply yogurt on the affected skin. After about 30 minutes, cleanse with warm water.
• Another option is consuming 2 or 3 cups of yogurt every day in order to fight the yeast from inside.

5. Oregano Oil

Oregano oil for tinea versicolor treatment is a perfect solution. This oil is the best at anti-fungal property which can help you control the infection as well as alleviate the symptoms when it comes to home remedies for tinea versicolor.

How to use:

• Mix oregano oil with equal amount of olive oil.
• Use a cotton ball to apply the oil.
• After about 30 minutes, cleanse with warm water.
• Perform once per day for couples of week.
• Another option is taking oregano supplementary pills after consulting the doctor.

6. Garlic

In addition to some essential oils for tinea versicolor treatments, garlis containing anti-fungal property can control the spreading of the infection as well as relieve you from the itchy feeling^[9][10]. This is the reason why garlic is taking lead in the list of top natural treatment for tinea versicolor.

How to use:

• Directly apply the juice or oil extracted from garlic onto the affected skin. After 20 minutes, take a shower or even bath. Perform once per day for couples of week.
• Consume around 3 cloves of garlic on empty stomach with some warm water for controlling fungus and infections.
• Take garlic supplementary pills after consulting the doctor.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is another possible home remedies for tinea versicolor. With antimicrobial property, the vinegar is also good at controlling the development of fungus as well as prohibiting the infection from reoccurring^[11]. It might be a mistake if we do not mention apple cider vinegar for tinea versicolor treatment. 

How to use:

• Take some vinegar with equal amount of warm water to make a solution. Use a cotton ball to apply this solution onto the affected skin. After about 15 minutes, cleanse with warm water as well. Perform once per day for couples of week.
• Another option is consuming the warm water and vinegar solution (2 tablespoons) for twice per day.

8. Turmeric

With so many excellent properties such as anti-fungal, antibiotic and antiseptic, turmeric can improve the healing and prevent any further infection^[12][13]. This ingredient deserves to become one of the most instant home remedies for tinea versicolor.

How to use:

• Extract the juice from turmeric and put about 4 teaspoons of the juice into a large water bottle. After showering or a bath, pour the solution onto the affected skin.
• Take some turmeric powder with equal amount of sandalwood powder and mix with water to create a paste. Put the paste onto the affected skin. After about 30 minutes, cleanse with showering or a bath.
• Perform once per day until there are positive changes.

9. Indian Lilac

With similar properties as turmeric, Indian lilac is listed as among natural cures for tinea versicolor since it can also help control the infection as well as promote a fast healing.

How to use:

• Take some Indian lilac into 2 cups of hot boiling water for about 10 minutes. After that, have them strained and cooled down. Then cleanse the affected skin using that water. Perform 2 to 3 times per day for couples of week.
• Crush some Indian lilac with water to make a paste. Put this paste onto the affected skin and let the paste dry. After that, cleanse it off. Perform once per day for couples of week.
• Mix the oil extracted from Indian lilac with either coconut or olive oil, and then applying using a cotton ball. Perform twice per day for couples of week.

10. Baking Soda

Baking soda tinea versicolor treatment should not be ignored in the list of home remedies for tinea versicolor. By helping you maintain a balance level of pH through alkalization, baking soda can help you control the infection as well as remove deal cells by acting as a scrub^[14][15]. Put some baking soda onto the affected skin for about 10 minutes. After that, take a bath or shower and use brush for cleansing the baking soda. Perform for couples of day until there are positive changes.