Pityrosporum folliculitis

Pityrosporum folliculitis

Pityrosporum folliculitis[1] or Malassezia folliculitis is a skin condition caused by infection by pityrosporum yeast.[2]:314

The skin of the upper trunk area like the back, upper arms and sometimes the neck is often affected and this condition is often seen in young to middle aged adults. Its diagnosis is based on the pruritic (itchy) papulopustules found in a follicular pattern in these regions.[3]

White pustules form from an overgrowth of the yeast, Malessezia furfur, plugging the follicles. M furfur is lipophilic, requiring fatty acids like what is present in oily skin to proliferate. It is part of the normal flora found on the skin, but overgrows in those that have a propensity for its growth.[3] Overgrowth is associated with oily skin, humidity or other pre-existing dermatologic conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and severe dandruff.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0. 
  2. ^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0. 
  3. ^ a b "Siobahn M Bower, MD"; "Daniel J Hogan, MD and Stephen H Mason, MD" ("December 21, 2009"). ["http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1091037-overview" "Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis"]. "eMedicine by WebMD". "http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1091037-overview". Retrieved "January 30, 2009". 
  4. ^ "American Osteopathic College of Dermatology". ["http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/pityrosporum_folli.html" "Dermatologic Disease Database: Pityrosporum Folliculitis"]. "http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/pityrosporum_folli.html". Retrieved "January 30, 2009.