Pityriasis%20(tinea)%20versicolor Treatment

Treatment

Pharmacotherapy

Treatment is usually effective but may have to be repeated due to recurrence of infection in susceptible individuals
- Prophylactic treatment is recommended for patients at risk of recurrence on exposure to sunlight or warm humid conditions

Skin discoloration may take several weeks to resolve after complete treatment
- If mycology is negative, persisting pale patches do not necessarily warrant additional treatment

Topical agents can be very effective and are safer than systemic medications, especially in children

Initial Therapy

May use Selenium sulfide or Ketoconazole shampoo
Antifungal cream is advised for small areas of skin involvement
- Imidazole creams may be used in both children and adults

If initial therapy fails, confirm adherence to treatment
- May consider repeat topical treatment before starting systemic therapy
Other topical agents such as Whitfield ointment, Sulfur-Salicylic acid shampoo, Propylene glycol, and Benzoyl peroxide may be considered but patient should be informed about possible adverse effects prior to use

Topical Antifungals

Used as initial treatment
Desirable properties: High efficacy, favorable adverse effects profile, fewest possible daily applications, shortest duration of therapy, low relapse rate and cost-effectiveness
Ciclopirox
- Topical application is proven effective when used twice daily for 2 weeks
Terbinafine
- Efficacy of topical application is comparable and may even surpass effect of imidazoles against tinea infections
Selenium sulfide and Zinc pyrithione
- Proven to be effective and safe; inexpensive for 1st-line therapy
- May be used as maintenance regimen (apply on the 1st and 3rd day of each month and leave on for 5 minutes before rinsing)
Imidazoles
- Eg Bifonazole, Clotrimazole, Econazole, Fenticonazole, Isoconazole, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Sertaconazole,Tioconazole
- Highly effective, safe and fairly inexpensive
Combined steroid/imidazole agents
- High-potency steroid combination is not indicated for treating Pityriasis (tinea) versicolor due to the absence of significant inflammation in this condition and the potential of the steroid component to induce atrophy

Systemic Therapy

Indicated in cases of severe or widespread skin involvement, recurrent infections, and failure of topical therapy
Oral antifungal agents Itraconazole and Fluconazole are preferred
Oral Itraconazole is also used for prophylaxis of recurrences

The role of oral antivirals in COVID-19 treatment: Who, when, and how?

Dr. Roger Paredes, Dr. Nicola Petrosillo, Dr. Petrick Periyasamy, 30 Jan 2023

Though most countries have eased pandemic restrictions, there is no room for complacency in managing COVID-19, which continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality.

At a recent symposium, esteemed experts Dr Roger Paredes, Head of Department of Infectious Diseases at the Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Catalonia, Spain, and Dr Nicola Petrosillo, Head of the Infection Prevention and Control and Infectious Disease Service at University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy, gave global perspectives on the continuing unmet needs in the COVID-19 outpatient landscape and discussed the role of antiviral treatment options in patients at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. Dr Petrick Periyasamy, Head of Infectious Diseases Unit, Medical Department, UKM Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, chaired the session.

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Aedes aegypti mosquito is the epitome of ‘small bite, big threat’. A bite from a female Aedes aegypti mosquito is enough to spread dengue. There are four different serotypes of dengue virus, Dengue Virus 1–4 (DENV1–4), thus, individuals can be infected with dengue up to four times. Repeated infections increase the risk of severe dengue, a risk factor for mortality. These serotypes are endemic to a certain countries and cocirculate in the natural environment. Dengue poses a major global health concern, with approximately 40% of the world’s population at risk of infection and more severe cases linked to a 20% mortality rate.