Many People Call This Eczema — But It’s NOT (And That’s Why It Keeps Coming Back)

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How Is Tinea Versicolor Diagnosed?

A healthcare professional can usually diagnose Tinea Versicolor quickly using one or more of the following methods:

  1. Visual Examination
    The pattern and color changes are often distinctive.

  2. Skin Scraping Test
    A small sample is examined under a microscope to confirm fungal overgrowth.

  3. Wood’s Lamp Examination
    Under ultraviolet light, affected areas may glow a yellow-green color, helping confirm the diagnosis.

How Is Tinea Versicolor Treated?

Because this condition is fungal, treatments meant for eczema (like steroid creams) will not work and may even worsen it.

Effective treatment includes antifungal medications, such as:

  • Antifungal creams or lotions

  • Antifungal shampoos used on the skin

  • Oral antifungal tablets (for more widespread or stubborn cases)

Treatment typically lasts at least two weeks, and sometimes longer depending on severity.

Important to Know

Even after successful treatment:

  • The fungus may be gone

  • Skin color can take weeks or months to normalize

This does not mean the treatment failed.

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