From the FDA Drug Label
For treatment of tinea versicolor: Apply to affected areas and lather with a small amount of water. Allow to remain on skin for 10 minutes. Rinse body thoroughly. Repeat this procedure once a day for 7 days. For treatment of tinea versicolor: Apply to affected areas and lather with a small amount of water. Allow product to remain on skin for 10 minutes, then rinse the body thoroughly. Repeat procedure once a day for 7 days.
The treatment for tinea versicolor is to apply selenium sulfide to the affected areas, lather with a small amount of water, and allow it to remain on the skin for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. This procedure should be repeated once a day for 7 days 1 1.
- Key points:
- Apply to affected areas
- Lather with a small amount of water
- Remain on skin for 10 minutes
- Rinse body thoroughly
- Repeat once a day for 7 days
From the Research
Tinea versicolor is most effectively treated with oral fluconazole 300mg weekly for 2 weeks, as it has shown high efficacy and safety in recent studies. This treatment approach is supported by a study published in 2005 2, which demonstrated a 75% complete cure rate and 77.5% mycologic cure rate with oral fluconazole. The study also showed no adverse effects and no recurrence at the 12-week follow-up visit.
Treatment Options
- Topical treatments, such as selenium sulfide 2.5% lotion or ketoconazole 2% shampoo, can be used for mild to moderate cases, but may have lower efficacy and higher recurrence rates compared to oral fluconazole.
- Other oral antifungals, such as itraconazole, can also be effective, but may have a higher risk of side effects and interactions.
- Maintenance therapy with selenium sulfide or ketoconazole shampoo may be useful in preventing recurrence, especially in humid climates or for individuals who sweat heavily.
Key Considerations
- The choice of treatment should be based on the severity of the infection, patient preferences, and potential side effects.
- It is essential to note that even after successful treatment, skin discoloration may persist for weeks or months as the skin tone gradually normalizes.
- Recent studies, such as the one published in 2015 3, have highlighted the importance of antifungal treatment in managing tinea versicolor, and oral fluconazole has emerged as a highly effective and safe option.