Q. How to treat white patches on the skin that are suddenly increasing?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I understand your concern.

After reviewing the history and viewing the image (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity)provided, it is tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor).

It is a fungal infection that mostly appears as white patches on skin around the neck, shoulders, back, and sometimes face. The fungal elements are naturally present in every individual's skin as normal commensals. The most common cause is a weakened immune system when the fungal lesions flare up. They also appear in case of excess sweating, especially during summer. They usually are not contagious and do not spread from one person to another, but they may appear in various areas within one's body due to the overall lowering of immunity.

Do not worry. They reduce with the help of medications but may take time to fade off completely. It may take three to six months for complete disappearance, due to which consistency in continuing the medication becomes paramount.

My advice:

1. Ketoconazole soap for bathing twice daily. The soap must be applied after lathering during bathing only on the affected areas and kept for three minutes before washing off. After that, an ordinary soap may be used for the rest of the unaffected areas of your skin.

Bathing using ketoconazole soap must be done twice daily for three months or until the rashes disappear.

2. Daktarin gel (Miconazole gel) is to be applied twice daily on the patches in the morning and night after bathing with the soap and towel drying the affected area well. To be used for three months or till the patches disappear.

3. Tab. Fluconazole 400 mg, one tablet to be taken as a single dose. And repeat by taking one more tablet after two weeks. A total of two tablets alone must be taken with water after food at night.

4. Capsule Becosules Z (or any multivitamin with B complex available in your country) one capsule to be taken after food daily for two months. This is to strengthen your immunity.

5. Avoid sweating and stagnation of moisture. Always towel dry your body well after a bath and air under a fan daily to avoid moisture or sweat stagnation.

6. Wear loose clothes to avoid sweating.

7. Consume more fruits and vegetables and follow a balanced diet. In addition, consume at least 12 glasses of water daily.

By consistently using the above medications for three to six months, the rashes would slowly but eventually reduce and disappear completely.

I hope the details were informative and provided clarity.

Kindly revert in case of further queries.

I hope I can help. Stay happy, healthy, and safe.

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sandhya Narayanan Kutty

Experience: 8 + Yrs

Venereology

---

Related Questions:
Which fungal infection causes itching and red rashes throughout the body?

.. your query and understand your concern. As per the history provided, they may be Tinea corporis. Tinea is a fungal infection affecting various areas of the body and spreads fast, and is contagious.   Read full

I notices white spots in my mouth after using gutkha. Please help me.

.. be the tobacco pouch keratosis. That means your mouth has started reacting to it. At this stage, if you leave it, it will heal and there will be no problem but in case you continue, it may lead to the leukoplakia which has high potential to transfer in   Read full

Onychomycosis - Fungal Infection of Nails, Its Patterns and Treatment

.. infection of the toenails. Read this article to know about its clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment .. ...   Read full