Stages of Tinea Versicolor in Children

Like many types of progressive and chronic diseases, fungal infections typically develop in a very organized fashion. For children who have complications with chronic fungal infections, such as tinea versicolor, the stages of disease progression can dictate what treatment is needed. It is for this reason that parents should become familiar with the stages of tinea versicolor so as to understand when a change in fungal treatment may be needed.

Tinea versicolor is the term used to describe a very advanced type of fungal infection that is chronic, aggressive, and difficult to treat. In children who live with tinea versicolor, the complications of recovery deal with not only eradicating the fungal infection but also mitigating the side effects that may cause permanent disfigurement of the skin.

When seeking out medical treatment for tinea versicolor, be sure that you understand what stages of tinea versicolor are possible and what stage your child may be experiencing. Typically, with this type of progressive fungal infection, there are three types of stages - mild, moderate, and severe. In most children, medical treatment is sought in the moderate stage when at-home remedies do not seem to be resolving the fungal infection.

Because tinea versicolor causes a severe discoloration of the skin, and can lead to pigment changes and scarring, treatment is important early in the stage of development. As a condition that arises from overgrowth of the fungal infection from inside the body, treatment will involve not only topical cream to fight the spread of the infection, and protect cell integrity, but also oral medications. It is important, therefore, that you ask about these two treatments even if your child is in the mild stage of treatment. Once the "severe" stage of tinea versicolor is present, consultation with a plastic surgeon and mental health specialist may be necessary to address changes in body image.

Staging skin disease is common among healthcare providers but is often not communicated to parents who are caring for children fighting fungal infections like tinea versicolor. If you are concerned about your child's skin care treatment, it is important to ask about staging the disorder so that you can become familiar with the improvement, or lack thereof, just as you would any other skin change including changes seen in vitiligo disease.

Sources: Immunology of Fungal Infections, by Gordon Brown