Four Seasons Pharmacist says: Summer "tinea versicolor" is annoying, antifungal treatment is the key!

In the hot summer, we should not only protect ourselves from the sun, but also from "tinea versicolor"! Tinea versicolor often occurs on exposed skin, affecting the appearance and causing great trouble to patients. How can we remove it quickly and effectively?

What is Pityriasis

Pityriasis versicolor, also known as tinea versicolor and pityriasis versicolor, is a common superficial fungal infection of the skin, which is more common in the hot summer and autumn seasons. The pathogen of pityriasis versicolor is Malassezia. This fungus is a normal flora of the skin and is prone to cause disease in hot and humid weather and when there is excessive fat and sweating in the area. The disease is not contagious and has good drug treatment effects, but the recurrence rate is high.

What are the symptoms of sweat stains

Pityriasis versicolor often occurs in areas of the human body rich in sweat glands such as the chest, back, armpits, and neck. It usually manifests as round or irregular macules. The lesions vary in color and may be white, light brown, dark brown, or gray-black. Some patients experience mild itching.

Which groups are most likely to be infected

Traffic police, sanitation workers, construction workers and other people who work outdoors for a long time sweat a lot and are prone to pityriasis versicolor. In addition, patients who take glucocorticoids or immunosuppressants for a long time, those who are malnourished, or those with a family history of pityriasis versicolor are also at high risk of pityriasis versicolor.

How to treat

Pityriasis versicolor is caused by fungal infection, so antifungal treatment is the key. Treatment includes topical and oral antifungal drugs.

(1) Topical antifungal drugs

For the treatment of pityriasis versicolor, topical antifungal drugs are the first choice. If the skin lesions are small, only topical antifungal lotions, creams, ointments, gels, solutions or other topical preparations are needed. 2% ketoconazole lotion is recommended for treatment, which is easy to use, quick to take effect and has a short course of treatment. If local symptoms worsen during medication, it is recommended to stop the medication and seek medical attention in time.

When applying creams, ointments, gels and other topical preparations, you can use a cotton swab or wear disposable gloves, and gently massage in circles from the outer edge of the skin lesion to the inside to promote absorption. Pay attention to appropriately expand the application area to ensure that the drug fully covers the skin lesion area.

(2) Oral antifungal drugs

Patients with pityriasis versicolor with large lesions, failure of topical medications, limited use of topical medications, or low immunity may consider oral antifungal treatment. Oral antifungal drugs are prescription drugs and should be used in a standardized manner under the guidance of a doctor.

Commonly used antifungal drugs

(1) Topical antifungal drugs generally have fewer side effects, the most common of which are skin irritation and contact allergy. Selenium disulfide can cause skin irritation and has a strong odor.

(2) Pay attention to regular monitoring of liver function during the use of oral antifungal drugs. They may interact with other drugs and affect the efficacy. If combined use is necessary, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

(3) Ketoconazole lotion should be used in the 2% strength rather than the 1% strength for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.

(4) Unlike topical terbinafine, oral terbinafine is ineffective in treating pityriasis versicolor.

(5) Pityriasis versicolor is prone to recurrence, so follow the doctor's instructions and take medication according to the course of treatment.

To prevent pityriasis versicolor, avoid excessive sweating in daily life. If you sweat, wash and dry it in time; pay attention to diet and avoid eating large amounts of oily and lipid-rich foods to reduce oil secretion; pay attention to rest and increase exercise to maintain good immunity.