From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION Cutaneous candidiasis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis and tinea (pityriasis) versicolor: It is recommended that Ketoconazole Cream 2% be applied once daily to cover the affected and immediate surrounding area Patients with tinea versicolor usually require two weeks of treatment.
- The treatment for Tinea (ringworm) versicolor is Ketoconazole Cream 2% applied once daily to the affected area for two weeks 1.
- Alternatively, Selenium Sulfide can be applied to the affected area and left on for 10 minutes, then rinsed off, repeated once a day for 7 days 2 2.
From the Research
Tinea versicolor is best treated with oral fluconazole 300 mg once weekly for two weeks, as it has been shown to be effective and safe in treating the condition, with a high cure rate and low incidence of side effects, as demonstrated in a study published in 2005 3.
Treatment Options
- Topical antifungal medications such as selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo, ketoconazole 2% shampoo, or clotrimazole 1% cream can be used to treat tinea versicolor, but they may not be as effective as oral fluconazole for widespread or stubborn cases.
- For selenium sulfide, apply to affected areas, leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off daily for 7 days.
- For ketoconazole shampoo, apply to affected areas, leave on for 5 minutes, then rinse off daily for 3 days.
- Alternatively, apply clotrimazole cream twice daily for 2-4 weeks.
Oral Antifungal Medications
- Oral antifungal medications like fluconazole (300 mg once weekly for 2 weeks) may be prescribed for widespread or stubborn cases.
- Itraconazole (single dose 400 mg or 7 day 200 mg daily dose) can also be effective in treating tinea versicolor, but fluconazole is preferred due to its higher cure rate and lower incidence of side effects, as demonstrated in a study published in 2010 4.
Prevention of Recurrence
- To prevent recurrence, especially in hot, humid climates, use antifungal shampoo once or twice monthly.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, shower after sweating, and avoid excessive sun exposure.
Cause of Tinea Versicolor
- Tinea versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast, which is normally present on skin but can proliferate under certain conditions, leading to characteristic light or dark patches on the skin, as noted in a study published in 1996 5.