(c)American Academy of Dermatology

Tinea versicolor is a skin disorder caused by yeast which normally live on the skin. Usually this yeast grows sparesely and is not visible.

However, in some individuals it grows more actively and thrives in oily areas of the skin such as the neck, upper back and chest. The growth of the yeast causes the slight scaling patches on the trunk, neck or arms known as tinea versicolor. On untanned skin the tinea versicolor rash is a pink to coppery tan. On tanned skin the tinea versicolor patches are lighter, since tanning does not occur in the rash areas. The failure to tan is temporary; the skin tans normally after the rash has been treated.  Some people may experience slight itching which may be more intense when you are hot.

Tinea versicolor is not contagious. Tinea versicolor is more common in hot, humid climates and often comes back in summertime.