itraconazole for tinea versicolor

[medhelp111]

Dr. Rockoff,

I went to a dermatologist with 2 problems that I have - one with wrinkled, sticky skin on my penis and another is tinea versicolor that I have for 4-5 years already. Dr said it might be balanitis, gave me Vusion cream which I applied for a week. But things didn't improve noticeably, in fact I got irritation on the foreskin in the form of small abrasions that are sensitive to touch so Dr recommended to apply something bland like Aquaphor. If it didn't help then it's not balanitis??What do you think?

As to tinea versicolor - Doctor prescribed Itraconazole for 7 days (100mg in the morning and 100mg at night). But I've read that there are numerous side effects and one patient wrote a review online saying that he had loss of hair due to that drug and felt terrible 3 months after taking the medication. That certainly sounds worse to me than tinea versicolor which doesn't bother me that much. Is that true about this drug? Are there alternative treatments that maybe have lighter side effects? Lastly, is tinea versicolor harmful to the body in any way apart from unpleasant spots on the skin?

Thank you very much.

[Usernameless]

When using treatments like the anti-dandruff shampoo Selsun Blue for tinea versicolor, one must be very persistent as it does take time to go away. I had it for a few months a year ago but it slowly disappeared over time. I have noticed that sometimes it comes back again when I get overheated though.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Aquaphor is a good moisturizer that would help balanitis.  Give it a try.

Itraconazole doesn't cause the symptoms that the person who wrote the "review" claims.  Tinea versicolor does not cause internal symptoms--just color change on the skin.  It can be treated with topical applications (Selsun Blue, for instance), but then it's widespread, that can be hard to do.  Oral itraconazole and ketoconazole are safe and effective.  You should discuss these options with your doctor.

Thanks.

Dr. Rockoff