tinea versicolor, a fungal infection of the skin caused by Malassezia furfur and characterized by finely desquamating, pale tan patches on the upper trunk and upper arms that may itch and do not tan. In dark-skinned people the lesions may be depigmented. The fungus fluoresces under Wood’s light and may be easily identified in scrapings viewed under a microscope. Topical and oral antifungal agents may be used, as well as repeated applications of selenium sulfide. The pale patches may persist for up to 1 year after successful treatment, and recurrence is common.
