Kids with tinea versicolor (TIN-ee-uh VUR-si-kul-ur) have patches of skin that look lighter or darker than the rest of their skin. It happens when a yeast (a type of fungus) that lives on the skin grows too much. This happens more often in hot and humid weather.

Tinea versicolor, also called pityriasis (pit-uh-RYE-uh-sis) versicolor, is treated for 1–2 weeks with a medicated lotion, skin shampoo (used like a soap on the skin), cream, or gel. It can take a few months for the patches to completely go away.

• Use any prescribed medicines as directed.
• To help prevent tinea versicolor from coming back, your child should:
  • Wear lightweight, loose clothing to reduce sweating.
  • Avoid skin products that are oily. Use products that say "non-oily" or "non-comedogenic" on the label.
• Tinea versicolor patches do not tan, so sun exposure makes them easier to see. Help protect your child's skin from the sun:
  • Keep skin covered with clothing, including a hat, when possible.
  • Apply water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to skin not covered by clothing. Reapply at least every 2 hours.

• The patches spread or get red or itchy.
• The patches go away and then come back.

Is tinea versicolor contagious? No, it does not spread from person to person. 

Can tinea versicolor come back? Sometimes it does come back after treatment. To prevent this, health care providers sometimes prescribe a skin shampoo to use once or twice a month, especially during hot, humid weather. If tinea versicolor comes back or covers a large part of the body, health care providers may prescribe medicine to take by mouth.