From the Research
Treatment Options for Fungal Folliculitis
- Topical antifungal therapy, such as 2% ketoconazole cream, can be effective in treating fungal folliculitis, with a mean period of 27±16 days for improvement 1
- Systemic antifungal agents, such as oral itraconazole, can also be used to treat fungal folliculitis, with a mean period of 14±4 days for improvement 1, 2
- Oral antifungals are preferred for the treatment of Malassezia folliculitis, resulting in a dramatic improvement in the disease condition 3, 4
- Treatment outcomes are generally better with oral antifungals (92% success rate) compared to topical antifungals (81.6% success rate) 3
Considerations for Treatment
- Proper diagnosis is crucial, as fungal folliculitis can be mistaken for acne vulgaris or other conditions 3, 4
- Patients with a history of unsuccessful treatment regimens may require alternative treatments, such as oral or topical antifungals 3
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be considered for the treatment of folliculitis decalvans, with favorable effects observed in some studies 5