In the case of tinea versicolor, what distinctive reaction occurs when the discolored patches are exposed to the sun?
Answer
The patches resist tanning
A crucial observation that helps distinguish tinea versicolor from simple sun discoloration involves sun exposure. The yeast overgrowth responsible for tinea versicolor alters the pigmentation of the affected skin, causing patches that are lighter (hypopigmented) or darker (hyperpigmented) than the surrounding skin. When exposed to sunlight, these altered areas do not tan along with the rest of the skin, meaning they maintain their abnormal color relative to the tanned skin surrounding them, offering a key visual clue.
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