dermatologic disorders
Tinea Versicolor
Treatment of Tinea Versicolor
Topical antifungals Sometimes oral antifungals (See table.) Treatment of tinea versicolor is any topical antifungal. Examples includeselenium sulfideshampoo 2.5% applied to the skin (in 10-minute applications daily for 1 week or 24-hour applications weekly for 1 month); topical azoles (eg,ketoconazole2% daily for 2 weeks); and daily bathing withpyrithione zincsoap 2% orsodium thiosulfate/salicylic acidshampoo 2% applied to the skin for 1 to 2 weeks. Fluconazole150 mg/week orally for 2 to 4 weeks is indicated for patients with extensive disease and those with frequent recurrences. Hypopigmentation resulting from tinea versicolor is reversible in months to years after the yeast has cleared. Recurrence is almost universal after treatment because the causative organism is a normal skin inhabitant. Fastidious hygiene, regular use ofpyrithione zincsoap, or once-monthly use of topical antifungal therapy lowers the likelihood of recurrence. 