From the Research
The recommended treatment for folliculitis caused by fungal infections is oral antifungal medications, with a success rate of 92%, as reported in the most recent study 1. When considering treatment options for fungal folliculitis, it's essential to prioritize the most effective and well-tolerated regimens.
- Topical antifungal medications, such as ketoconazole 2% cream or shampoo, clotrimazole 1% cream, or miconazole 2% cream, can be applied to affected areas twice daily for 2-4 weeks.
- For more extensive or resistant cases, oral antifungal medications, such as fluconazole 150-300mg once weekly for 2-4 weeks or itraconazole 200mg daily for 1-2 weeks, may be necessary.
- Selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo used as a body wash can also be effective as an adjunct treatment. The treatment outcomes and clinical characteristics of Pityrosporum folliculitis have been extensively studied, with recent research highlighting the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment 1, 2. It's crucial to maintain good hygiene, wear loose-fitting clothing, avoid sharing personal items, and keep the affected areas clean and dry to prevent recurrence. These antifungal treatments work by disrupting the fungal cell membrane or inhibiting ergosterol synthesis, which is essential for fungal cell survival. Most cases respond well to topical treatments alone, but persistent or recurrent infections may require oral therapy and identification of predisposing factors such as immunosuppression or diabetes.