Tinea versicolor hair loss occurs when the Malassezia fungus disrupts normal hair growth cycles, leading to patchy hair thinning or bald spots. This chronic skin condition causes discolored patches and scaling, often misdiagnosed as other scalp issues.
How Tinea Versicolor Affects Hair Growth
Main Types of Tinea Versicolor
Type
Appearance
Common Locations
Pityriasis versicolor
Pink, brown, or white scaly patches
Chest, back, arms, neck
Malassezia folliculitis
Red, itchy pimples with hair loss
Scalp, beard area
Diagnosis and Treatment
Dermatologists diagnose tinea versicolor using UV light (Wood's lamp) or microscopic examination. Effective treatments include: