Michigan Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the common term for tinea versicolor?

1. Sun spots

2. Age spots

3. Scabies

4. Fungal dermatitis

The correct answer is: Sun spots

The common term for tinea versicolor is often referred to as "sun spots." This condition is caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast that naturally lives on the skin, leading to discoloration, which can manifest as lighter or darker patches, commonly appearing after sun exposure. Because these patches can become more noticeable upon tanning or when the surrounding skin darkens, it is frequently associated with sun exposure, which contributes to the common nomenclature. In contrast, age spots refer specifically to the flat brown or gray spots that commonly appear on the skin due to aging and sun exposure but are not the same as tinea versicolor. Scabies is a condition caused by a mite infestation that leads to intense itching and a rash, while fungal dermatitis is a broader term that encompasses a variety of fungal skin infections but does not specifically identify tinea versicolor. Thus, "sun spots" has become the colloquial term associated with the skin discoloration from tinea versicolor in common use.