should I worry?

I am terrified.  I had a rash on my shoulder for a couple
weeks.  I went to my primary MD and he said it looked
like tinea versicolor and gave me a prescription for
oxistat.  I have been using this daily for a week.  I have
also tried applying selsun blue shampoo at night.
Not only is my rash not getting much better but I am finding
similar rashes turning up now elsewhere on my body.
My deepest fear is that maybe I am immunosuppressed secondary
to HIV and this is causing the problem.  I don't know
why else this would be happening.  I have yet to be tested
(but will do that this week.)  Anything else I should
keep in mind?
-worried sick

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Tinea versicolor--a superficial and noncontagious fungus--nearlyu always affects many patches on the shoulders, chest, and back.  I would therefore be surprised if you didn't have spots elsewhere.

If the spots are less colored than the surrounding skin, the discoloration may last months, even after the fungus is gone.

People with this condition usually have nothing worng with their immune system or anything else.

If your doctor is sure of the diagnosis--no reason to think otherwise--ask him to consider an oral antibiotic for a few days, just to be sure that you don't miss a spot with the topical things you've been using.

And don't worry!

Dr. Rockoff

[worriedguy]

thanks so much for replying.  That's very reassuring to read.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You're welcome!

Dr. R

[worriedguy]

One more quick question.
Any other reason my tinea seems to be refractory
to treatment?  I would have expected it to go away
by now.  I am worried why it is not getting better
with topical lotions. In fact it seems to be getting worse.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Please see paragraph 2 of my initial reply, for a possible explanation.

If you're not sure what's going on, you ought to ask your dermatologist.

Dr. Rockoff