What is the cause of tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast, specifically Malassezia, which is a fungus naturally found on the skin. This condition leads to the alteration of skin pigmentation, resulting in lighter or darker patches on the skin. The Malassezia fungus thrives in warm, humid environments, and certain factors like excessive sweating, oily skin, or a weakened immune system can contribute to its proliferation. Understanding the fungal nature of this condition is important for appropriate treatment approaches, which often include topical antifungal agents that target the Malassezia yeast.

In contrast, genetic predisposition refers to inherited traits and is less directly related to this specific skin condition. Bacterial and viral infections cause different types of skin issues and do not apply to tinea versicolor, as this condition is distinctly linked to fungal activity.