Epidemiology

PV is most common in hot and humid climates, where prevalence may be as high as 50%.[7] It is also common in temperate climates, especially during the summer months, accounting for 3% of patients seen by dermatologists.[1] In 2023, an analysis of a US online health record database found a prevalence rate of 0.67%.[8]​​

PV is most often seen in teenagers and young adults.[7] It is unusual for young children and older adults to have PV due to reduced sebum production in these age groups.[7] However, childhood cases are seen in tropical regions, and one case in a premature 2-week-old infant has been reported, possibly due to hot and humid conditions in an incubator.[9] Cases in older adults occur in the setting of heat and sweating during hospital admission and in the setting of immunocompromise.[10] Cases of iatrogenic immunocompromise-induced pityriasis versicolor secondary to the use of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors have been described.[11]

Infection rates in men and women vary between studies but overall are similar.[1]

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