A Clinico-Mycological study of 100 cases of Pityriasis Versicolor.

INTRODUCTION : Pityriasis versicolor is a common, chronic, mild usually asymptomatic infection of the skin caused by malassezia species. The organism is a lipophilic yeast. It has been found plenty in the androgen dependent, sebaceous secretory areas of the scalp, face, trunk, upper chest, back, shoulder, and upper arm. The sebum dependent nature of this lipophilic yeast has been well brought out by the presence of lesion around the hair follicles not only in the trunk and scalp but also on the dorsal hairy regions of the phalanges of finger and toes and the beard areas of face and neck. It has also been associated with other dermatological conditions like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis atopic dermatitis and confluent reticulate papillomatosis. In recent years, they have been associated with serious systemic infections, in low birth weight infants and other debilitated individuals. AIMS OF THE STUDY : The aims of the study are 1. To study the age and sex distribution of the patients. 2. To study the predisposing factors. 3. To study the association of pityriasis versicolor with other dermatological condition. 4. Systemic diseases associated with pityriasis versicolor. 5. Pathological correlation of clinical lesions. 6. To isolate the agent. CONCLUSION : 1) The following conclusions were drawn from this study 2) More common among males 3) Mean age of occurrence 10 – 30 years. 4) Hypopigmentation and cosmetic problem are the main complaints. 5) Hypochromic macules and patches were the commonest presentation over the chest, neck, back, face, abdomen, axillae. 6) Disease was chronic with remission and relapses related to tropical climates. 7) Renal transplant, steroid therapy, diabetes mellitus, malnutrition associated with tinea versicolor. 8) Dermatophytosis, onychomycosis and candidal balanophosthitis were associated fungal infection. 9) Trichomycosis axillaris, wart and scabies were associated infective conditions. 10) Seborrheic dermatitis, Acne vulgaris, Becker’s naevus, Melasma, Psoriasis, Vitiligo Pityriasis Rosea, Hand eczema, Keloid, Lichenoid eruptions were other associated conditions. 11) 10% KOH mount, culture, Biopsy were useful procedures to confirm the diagnosis of tinea versicolor