skin disorders
Tinea Versicolor
Treatment of Tinea Versicolor
Antifungal medications applied to the affected areas or sometimes taken by mouth Any antifungal medications applied directly to the affected areas (topical) may be used to treat tinea versicolor. Prescription-strengthselenium sulfideshampoo is effective if applied to affected skin (not just the scalp) for 10 minutes a day for 1 week or for one 24-hour application each week for one month. Other treatments include applying topicalketoconazoledaily for 2 weeks and bathing with pyrithione zinc soap or applyingsodium thiosulfate/salicylic acidshampoo to the skin daily for 1 to 2 weeks. (See also table.) Antifungal medications taken by mouth, such asfluconazole, are sometimes used to treat people who have a widespread infection (see table) or frequent infections. To lower the chance of the infection coming back, many doctors recommend practicing meticulous hygiene and using pyrithione zinc soap regularly or one of the other topical treatments monthly. 