Tinea versicolor of the face in black children in a temperate region

Tinea versicolor is a common superficial fungal infection that typically affects young adults in warm, humid climates. We describe two young black children in the temperate northeastern Ohio area with tinea versicolor limited to the face. The occurrence of tinea versicolor on the face is unusual, as is its appearance before puberty. The mycologic and pathophysiologic characteristics of tinea versicolor infection are discussed, and several hypothesis are offered to explain the presence of tinea versicolor in these patients.