This condition is also known as Pityriasis Versicolor. This is a very common fungal infection on the skin. Every single person can develop it, but it is more common in young adults and adolescents.
Fungi of the genus Malassezia are normally present on the surface of our skin, and they are not causing any problems. But there are some cases when they can begin to grow out of control, affecting the pigmentation of our skin. This will result in skin patches that are lighter or darker than your original skin color.
These discolored patches usually appear on the upper arms, neck, chest, and back. They can disappear on cold winter days and reappear on hot and humid summer days. The affected skin also can become scaly and dry. There are some cases when it can cause itching, but this is not a common condition.
Doctors are not sure why the fungus starts growing abnormally, but there are some contributing factors to tinea versicolor, such as hormonal changes in the body, a weak immune system, oily skin, excessive sweating, and hot and humid weather. This condition is not contagious or painful, but it can cause self–consciousness or emotional distress.
There are many antifungal treatments and over–the–counter treatments which can be used for the treatment. Also, you can try some of the mentioned home remedies, which are simple and inexpensive.
Talk with your doctor about your best treatment for tinea versicolor. You should eat a diet rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B because they can boost your immune system.
Also, you should include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. You should eat foods that are rich in probiotics, such as kefir and yogurt. You should avoid too many carbohydrates in your diet because this can stimulate yeast production.
9 Tinea versicolor home remedies
Contents
Garlic
This is a very effective home remedy for tinea versicolor. It has antifungal properties, which can help to stop the growth of fungi, and will provide relief from the itching [1].
You should apply garlic oil or freshly extracted garlic juice to the affected areas. You should wait for twenty minutes and then shower or take a bath. You should do this natural treatment once per day for a period of a few weeks.
Also, you can consume two to three raw garlic cloves with warm water on an empty stomach. Consume it on a daily basis to treat, and prevent the recurrence of this fungal infection. You can add garlic supplements to your regimen because it can prevent any kind of skin infection. Talk with your doctor about the correct dosage.
Oregano oil
This is a very effective home remedy, which you can use to clear up tinea versicolor. This is one of the most potent antifungal oils, which can help to fight the fungi, which are responsible for tinea versicolor, as well as reduce its symptoms [2].
You should prepare a home remedy with equal amounts of extra–virgin olive oil and oregano oil. You should apply it to the affected areas using a cotton ball. Leave it for thirty minutes. Then, rinse it off with lukewarm water. You should follow this home remedy once per day for a period of a few weeks. Also, you can take oregano essential oil supplements but firstly, talk with your doctor.
Yogurt
The plain and unsweetened yogurt is one of the best natural cures for fungal infections like tinea versicolor. It has probiotics, which can keep the fungi growth in check. This will promote quick recovery and will prevent a recurrence.
You should apply plain yogurt to the affected skin. Let it stay there for at least twenty to thirty minutes, and then rinse this home remedy off with warm water.
Also, you should eat two to three cups of plain yogurt on a daily basis because this will fight the yeast internally. [3]
Aloe Vera
This natural cure has a protein called 14 kDa, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, which are very effective for the treatment of tinea versicolor. Also, it can reduce the fungi’s ability to spread [4]. It has many healing properties, which can help to promote the healing of damaged skin. You should extract the gel from an Aloe Vera leaf. You should apply the gel directly to the affected skin areas two or three times per day for a period of several weeks. Also, there is another option, and that is to mix a few drops of lavender oil with one teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel. You should apply this home remedy to the affected areas two or three times per day.
Coconut oil
This is a very effective home remedy, which can help in the natural treatment of any fungal infection, in, which is included tinea versicolor. It has medium–chain fatty acids, which work as a natural fungicide. This means that coconut oil can stop the growth of fungi, which are responsible for tinea versicolor.
You should apply some extra virgin coconut oil to the affected area. Let it dry to its own. Also, there is another option, and that is to mix one tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil and five or six drops of cinnamon oil. You should apply it to the affected skin. You should wait for fifteen to twenty minutes before you rinse it off using warm water. You should follow some of the mentioned home remedies with coconut oil two or three times per day until the infection clears up. [5]
Tea tree oil
This is a very effective home remedy for tinea versicolor because it possesses antifungal properties. Also, it can inhibit the spread of this infection and will prevent a recurrence. Also, it can give you relief from the itchiness.
You should add five to seven drops of tea tree oil to one tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil or olive oil. You should apply this home remedy to the affected areas using a cotton ball. You should allow it to dry on its own. Then, rinse it off using lukewarm water and pat dry. Follow this home remedy two times per day for a period of a few weeks. [6]
Indian lilac
We know that Indian lilac is also known as neem. It is a very effective home remedy for tinea versicolor. It has antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, which can help to control the growth of the fungi that are responsible for tinea versicolor. Also, they will promote quick healing.
You should boil a handful of Indian lilac leaves in two cups of water for ten minutes. Strain it, and allow the water to cool. You should use this water to wash the affected area two or three times per day for a period of a few weeks. Also, there is another option, and that is to grind some neam leaves with water. You should apply this paste directly to the affected area. Allow it to dry, and then rinse it off using warm water. You should follow this home remedy once per day for a period of a few weeks.
Also, there is a third option from this natural cure, and that is to soak a cotton ball in neem leaves mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and apply it to the affected area. You should do this natural treatment two times per day for at least two to three weeks. [7]
Turmeric
This is a very popular home remedy for treating tinea versicolor. It has natural antifungal, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties, which can promote healing and prevent the infection from recurring.
In a large jug of water, you should add three to four teaspoons of raw and unprocessed turmeric juice. After you have taken a bath, then you need to pour this turmeric–infused water into the affected area.
Also, you can mix equal amounts of sandalwood powder and turmeric powder. You should add enough water to it to make a paste. You should apply this paste to the affected area. Let it stay there for thirty minutes, and then take a shower or bath. You should follow some of both mentioned home remedies once per day until spots disappear. [8]
Apple cider vinegar
It is a known fact that apple cider vinegar is also a very effective home remedy for tinea versicolor. This home remedy has antimicrobial properties, which can help to control the abnormal growth of the fungi [9].
Also, it can help to prevent the recurrence of the infection.
You should mix equal amounts of lukewarm water and apple cider vinegar.
You should dab a cotton ball in this home remedy and then apply it to the affected area. You should wait for fifteen minutes before you rinse it off with warm water. You should follow this home remedy once per day for a period of a few weeks.
Also, you can mix two tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into one glass of water and drink it two times per day.
References:
[1] Ledezma E, Marcano K, Jorquera A, et al. Efficacy of ajoene in the treatment of tinea pedis: A double-blind and comparative study with terbinafine. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2000;43(5 Pt 1):829-32.
[2] Cleff MB, Meinerz AR, Xavier M, et al. In vitro activity of origanum vulgare essential oil against candida species. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 2010;41(1):116-123.
[3] Matsubara VH, Bandara HMHN, Mayer MPA, Samaranayake LP. Probiotics as antifungals in mucosal candidiasis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2016;62(9):1143-53.
[4] Saniasiaya J, Salim R, Mohamad I, Harun A. Antifungal effect of malaysian aloe vera leaf extract on selected fungal species of pathogenic otomycosis species in in vitro culture medium. Oman Medical Journal. 2017;32(1):41-46.
[5] Vijayakumar R, Muthukumar C, Kumar T, Saravanamuthu R. Characterization of Malassezia Furfur and its control by using plant extracts. 2006;51(2):145-148.
[6] Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2006;19(1):50-62.
[7] Mahmoud DA, Hassanein NM, Youssef KA, Abou Zeid MA. Antifungal activity of different neem leaf extracts and the nimonol against some important human pathogens. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 2011;42(3):1007-1016.
[8] Sharma R, Sharma G, Sharma M. Comparative antifungal study of essential oil with allopathic drugs against Malassezia furfur. International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archives. 2012;3(1):89-93
[9] Yagnik D, Serafin V, Shah AJ. Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific Reports. 2018;8:1732.
