164 An Introduction to Medical Mycology 



As with the ordinary form of tinea versicolor, diagnosis requires micro- 

 scopic studies re-enforced by studies with filtered ultraviolet rays. 



(e) Prognosis.— The outlook for complete cure is good if treatment is 

 thorough. Reinfection will occur if the patient is re-exposed, since immu- 

 nity is not produced by an attack. 



(f ) Treatment.— The extent of the eruption should be determined by a 

 complete examination of the whole cutaneous surface under filtered ultra- 

 violet rays, and the patient should be advised to treat all parts that show 

 fluorescence. If all the affected areas are treated, improvement will be rapid. 



It is advisable that all family contacts be examined and, as in the treat- 

 ment of scabies, that all members affected should concurrently receive 

 therapy. It is important that clothing be cleaned, if possible by washing, 

 although dry cleaning will suffice. 



The patient, on examination after two weeks and subsequently, should 

 again be observed under filtered ultraviolet rays. Areas which have escaped 

 medication will be revealed. Scrapings taken from suspected areas will yield 

 either positive or negative information. 



We stress the method of treatment rather than the medicaments to be 

 used. A 10 per cent solution of sodium hyposulfite sponged on once daily 

 before the patient retires is a satisfactory application. However, almost 

 any exfoliant or fungicide will prove effective. A hot bath previous to appli- 

 cation of the remedy may be helpful. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 



Biert, C. M. G.: Tinea versicolor of the face, J. Cutan. & Ven. Dis. 3:73, 1885. 

 Castellani, A.: Tropical forms of pityriasis versicolor, J. Cutan. Dis. 26:393, 1908; Fungi 



and fungous diseases, Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 17:194, 1928; Case of pityriasis versicolor trop- 



iealis, Brit. J. Dermat. 47:484, 1935. 

 Kistiakovsky, E. V.: Pityriasis versicolor and ultraviolet rays, Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 15:685, 



1927. 

 Lewis, G. M., and Hopper, M. E.: Pseudoachromia of tinea versicolor, Areh. Dermat. & Syph. 



34:850, 1936. 

 McEwen, E. L.: Unusual ease of tinea versicolor, |. Cutan. Dis. 29:19, 1911. 

 Pardo-Castello, V.: Achromia parasitaria, Arch. Dermat. & Syph. 25:785, 1932. 



, and Dominguez, M. M.: Achromia parasitaria, Areh. Dermat. & Syph. 9:82, 1924. 



Sidlick, D. M., and Corson, E. F.: Tinea versicolor of the face, Areh. Dermat. & Syph. 



5:604, 1922. 

 Smith, E. O.: Rare ease of tinea versicolor, New York M. J. 64:583, 1896. 



8. ERYTHRASMA 



This is a superficial mycosis resembling tinea versicolor but with more 

 tendency to localization. Burckhardt first described the disease in 1859. 



(a) Etiology.— The causative fungus is a minute threadlike micro- 

 organism, Actinomyces minutissimus (M. minutissimum ). Little is known 



