Can you get tinea versicolor from a tanning bed?

Author: Ned Smith V  |  Last update: Thursday, July 3, 2025

The warmer the weather, the worse this condition gets. Tanning booths are warm places, so avoid them. The reasons why some get this problem and others do not are not known. A dermatologist can easily recognize this infection, but occasionally it can be mistaken for other skin conditions.

Can you get a fungus from a tanning bed?

Apparently, the top dollar employees at the tanning salons sometimes do not clean the tanning beds properly, and when other people's sweat absorbs into your skin it can cause skin fungus. SO GROSS!

Why did I suddenly get tinea versicolor?

What causes tinea versicolor? An overgrowth of yeast on your skin's surface causes tinea versicolor. This yeast thrives in warm, moist and oily environments, causing it to grow out of control in small colonies. These yeast colonies cause the symptoms of tinea versicolor.

Do tanning beds help tinea versicolor?

HOW DO I MANAGE MY TINEA VERSICOLOR? Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and do not use indoor tanning beds. A tan makes tinea versicolor easier to see and prevents your skin tone from evening out.

Can you get a skin infection from tanning bed?

Given the direct contact of the skin of tanning salon patrons with the tanning bed surfaces tested, a concern for pathogen transmission and cutaneous infection is real.

Natural (Skin Fungus) Tinea Versicolor Home Remedies – Dr. Berg

When I tan, I get white spots on my skin.?

Sun Spots: Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis (IGH)

They are completely harmless. What causes these small white spots on skin is simply a result of a lack of melanin. Why the skin stops producing melanin is still not 100% certain, but it's thought to be due to extended sun exposure.

What are the diseases caused by tanning beds?

Indoor tanning is associated with several health problems, including:
  • Skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
  • Cancer of the eye (ocular melanoma).
  • Cataracts and other potentially blinding eye diseases.
  • Premature aging.
  • Immune system suppression.

What can be mistaken for tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor and vitiligo are two skin conditions that can look similar but have different causes and treatments. If you have light or discolored patches on your skin, your health care provider can figure out what's behind them and recommend a treatment that can help clear up your skin.

How do you get rid of tinea versicolor asap?

For a mild case of tinea versicolor, you can apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream, ointment or shampoo. Most fungal infections respond well to these topical agents, which include: Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) cream or lotion.

Does sun worsen tinea versicolor?

Sun exposure can worsen Tinea Versicolor. Dermatologists often advise avoiding prolonged sun exposure and may recommend specific sunscreens or protective measures to prevent exacerbation.

What should I avoid if I have tinea versicolor?

Stop using skin care products that are oily. Wear loose clothes. Protect your skin from the sun.

What does fungal sweat rash look like?

You might have fungal sweat rash if you notice:

A red rash with scaling around the edge. Sore or stinging skin. Itchy or burning skin. Broken skin (in the space between fingers or toes)

How to remove tinea versicolor naturally?

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil has antifungal properties and can help combat the fungal infection causing tinea versicolor. Applying coconut oil to the affected areas can help moisturize the skin, reduce dryness, and prevent fungal growth.

What triggers tinea versicolor?

Factors that may predispose to tinea versicolor include heat and humidity and immunosuppression due to corticosteroids, pregnancy, undernutrition, diabetes, or other disorders. Hypopigmentation in tinea versicolor is due to the inhibition of tyrosinase caused by M. furfur.

Can you reverse skin damage from tanning beds?

Photodamage can't be completely reversed but some treatment options can help rejuvenate your skin. Talk to your provider about the risks of complications. Possible treatments include: Retinoids, retinols: These topical products provide their best benefit when treating early signs of photoaging.

What is the best soap for tinea versicolor?

Antifungal washes including zinc pyrithione soap, sulfur salicylic acid shampoo, and Selsun Blue (selenium sulfide) shampoo are also used to treat mild cases of tinea versicolor.

Can you scrub off tinea versicolor?

Alternative Approach for Tinea Versicolor

Cleansing twice daily and immediately after perspiring with an exfoliant like a mandelic acid wash or sulfur soap (both of which are anti-fungal ingredients) and a net sponge to exfoliate the uppermost fungus-infected epidermal cells.

What happens if tinea versicolor is left untreated?

Tinea versicolor can sometimes go away with treatment. But if you don't use proper antifungal treatment, the patches can take several months to return to their normal color. Untreated tinea versicolor can also increase your risk of experiencing repeat infections.

Why is my tinea versicolor flaring up?

You might notice those patches flaring up in the heat or humidity. They stand out when your skin is exposed to the sun because the infected patches don't change color with sunburns or tanning. Anyone can get tinea versicolor, and experts aren't sure why some people are more prone to it than others.

Does tinea versicolor mean I have a weak immune system?

People who have a weakened immune system are generally more prone to infections, so they are also more likely to develop tinea versicolor. The immune system may be weakened by things like certain types of cancer or medication that suppresses the immune system – for instance, following an organ transplant.

What bug causes tinea versicolor?

Pityriasis versicolor, or tinea versicolor, is a common, benign, superficial fungal skin infection. The causative organism, yeast from the genus Malassezia, is part of the normal skin flora.

What shampoo for tinea versicolor?

In a controlled trial that included 40 patients with tinea versicolor, zinc pyrithione 1% shampoo applied for five minutes per day for two weeks was more effective than shampoo vehicle [45].

Can you get skin fungus from tanning beds?

Skin fungus

While it is not precisely clear how often fungus is contracted from tanning beds, and although many tanning salons have strict sanitation procedures, it is worth checking with your doctor if notice any suspicious white spots on the skin.

What not to do after tanning bed?

Avoid using harsh or fragranced products immediately after tanning, as they may further irritate the skin.

What can you catch from a tanning bed?

“If the incredibly increased risk of skin cancer and premature aging wasn't enough to curb your use of tanning beds there have been studies that show that bacteria like staphylococcus, pseudomonas, and others like fecal bacteria have been found in tanning beds as well as viruses like Herpes (cold sore)and papilloma ( ...

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