Atrophying pityriasis versicolor: an uncommon variant of a common disease




Lizet K. Rojano-Fritz, Instituto Dermatológico de Jalisco Dr. José Barba Rubio, Zapopan, Jalisco, México
Arturo Robles-Tenorio, Instituto Dermatológico de Jalisco Dr. José Barba Rubio, Zapopan, Jalisco, México
Karina Escobar-Ramírez, Instituto Dermatológico de Jalisco Dr. José Barba Rubio, Zapopan, Jalisco, México
Víctor M. Tarango-Martínez, Instituto Dermatológico de Jalisco Dr. José Barba Rubio, Zapopan, Jalisco, México


The atrophic (or pseudo-atrophying) variant of pityriasis versicolor is an unusual presentation of infection with Malassezia spp. It presents as atrophic plaques with discrete scaling over seborrheic areas. Although Wood’s light fluorescence and KOH tests can help establish the diagnosis, a biopsy is mandatory to rule out the possibility of other atrophying diseases. We present the case of an 18-year-old female patient with a 2-year history of atrophic pityriasis versicolor, with abundant blastoconidia and hyphae on examination micological, as well as hyphae and epidermal atrophy on histopathology. Lesions showed complete clearance one month after treatment.



Keywords: Atrophy. Pityriasis versicolor. Malassezia.