Hello-

I was diagnosed with Tinea Versicolor this summer. I had almost a whole back covered with white spots (I was tan, so that is why they appeared white) anyway, I was prescribed the prescription strength selium sulfide (sp)? shampoo. (It's like a stronger dandruff shampoo) I was told to use it everyday for a week and leave it on for 10 minutes each time. Instead, I put it all over my back, from neck to waist and would go to sleep and wash it off the next morning.

They usually say the yeast is easy to kill, however it takes a long time for the spots to fill back in. I guess the loss of pigment is caused by the yeast releasing an acid that doesn't allow the skin to produce pigment or tan...

Anyway, once I started using the shampoo, about one week later I went to a tanning salon and used the stand up tanning bed. (I only use stand up beds now) and low and behold, little by little over the course of about two weeks, you could barely see the spots anymore and they were VERY noticable before.

Now, I periodically use the prescription strength shampoo and treat myself at night, however every other day I wash my body with just regular Selsun Blue shampoo. This ensures I kill any excess yeast. So far so good, it is all gone. They say there is a great chance of it returning though.

My doctor also recommended to periodically use a bar soap called Z bar or something like that. It is over the counter.

One thing I would like to add is that I chose the prescription shampoo over the actual pills you can take. My doc originally prescribed me something called Sporax. The side effects of taking it sounded way too risky to me. (liver complications) I figured I'll try the easier route first and if it doesn't work, I will consider the pills. Thank goodness it did work.

They say you are supposed to wash your bedding and clothing, dry cleaning clothes etc. however I can honestly say I didn't really do anything different with my normal routine there.

I hope this helps :-)