Is pityriasis versicolor a type of vitiligo?
Disease description:
I am 19 years old this year. Recently, white patches have appeared on my body, some in a spotted pattern, and they often itch. The school doctor examined me and suspects it might be pityriasis versicolor. I would like to know whether pityriasis versicolor is the same as vitiligo?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Pityriasis versicolor is not vitiligo. Pityriasis versicolor, also known as tinea versicolor or pityriasis furfuracea, is a superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia species infecting the stratum corneum of the epidermis. It mainly presents as light white, round or oval spots or patches on the skin, with indistinct borders and often numerous fine scales on the surface. These spots typically appear on areas rich in sebaceous glands, such as the neck, upper chest, back, and upper limbs, and tend to recur in summer. Vitiligo, in contrast, is a chronic skin disorder characterized by reduced or complete loss of skin pigmentation. The white patches in vitiligo generally have clearly defined borders, vary in shape and size, and may increase in number as the disease progresses. They can appear on any part of the body. The surface of vitiligo patches lacks scales, excessive sweating does not aggravate the symptoms, and fungi cannot be detected under microscopic examination.
