Tinea (pityriasis) versicolor skin yeast infections - treatment and cure

Malassezia furfur > Tinea versicolor > Causes > Symptoms > diagnosis > Treatment

Treatment for tinea (pityriasis) versicolor skin yeast infections is to be done after taking into consideration factors like age of the patient, extend of the disease and the climatic conditions.

Pityriasis yeast infections in the early stages can be treated with a number of topical creams and lotions which are available over the counter. For chronic disease oral antifungal medicines also are to be used.

Treatment of tinea yeast infections with topical applications

A big choice of topical medications are available for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a essential oil having antibacterial and antifungal properties. Application of 5% solution of tea tree oil over a period on the affected parts of the body is known to treat pityriasis versicolor skin yeast.

Selenium sulfide
Application of 1% selenium sulphide in the form of shampoo (Selsun) on the affected parts helps in resolving the pityriasis versicolor skin yeast infections. The application is allowed to remain on the body for 30 - 60 minutes and then washed. This application is repeated daily for 7 -10 days.

Selenium sulphide 2.5%
This formulation is a prescription medicine and applying it daily and allowing it to remain on the skin for 10 minutes resolves tougher infections.

Clotrimazole cream
Clotrimazole cream (Lotrimin) can be applied on the affected parts twice daily for about 15 - 20 days to get relief.

Terbinafine (lamisil)
Terbinafine cream application once daily for a weak treats tinea versicolor.

Cassia alata leaves
A study in India has proved the efficacy of treating tinea (pityriasis) versicolor skin yeast infections with the leaf extract of Cassia alata plant.

Ciclopirox olamine (Ciclopirox)
Ciclopirox is found to suppress pityriasis versicolor and can be used in the place of ketoconazole topical applications.

Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is found to relieve the symptoms and in some cases treat tinea (pityriasis) versicolor skin yeast infections.

Treatment of tinea (pityriasis versicolor) skin yeast infections with dandruff shampoos

Dandruff shampoos are effective in controlling the pityriasis versicolor skin yeast infections.

Ketoconazole shampoo
Application of 2% ketoconazole shampoo on wet skin and leaving it for 5 - 10 minutes on the skin before bath helps in resolving the pityriasis versicolor yeast infections.

Pyrithione zinc shampoo
Pyrithione zinc is a good fungicide and gives good results when used for treatment of yeast infections. Applying and leaving this shampoo on the skin for ten minutes daily for a weak gives good results.

Treatment of pityriasis versicolor with oral medications

Oral tablets of anti fungal medications are available for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. Ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole are some of the oral medications available for the treatment. Please take the advice of your doctor for dosage and suitability of the medicine in your case.

Cure for pityriasis versicolor

As this yeast is normally present in human skin after treatment the infection may recur. Frequent treatments for eradication are required.

Prevention of pityriasis versicolor

Once treated for pityriasis versicolor follow certain precautions to avoid the recurrence of the disease. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat and hot environment. Wear loose fitting clothes to enhance air circulation to the body. Avoid fatty food, oily food and fried food. Keep the skin dry as for possible. Avoid places and activities which may produce excessive sweat. Repeat the treatment at least once in two months for three times, even if there is no apparent infections of pityriasis versicolor.

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