How to treat pityriasis versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor, also known as tinea versicolor, can be treated using the following main approaches: 1. Non-pharmacological treatment: Maintain clean and dry skin, bathe regularly, change clothes frequently, and boil underwear for disinfection; avoid exposure to moist environments. 2. Topical medication: Apply antifungal creams such as 1% econazole cream, 2% ketoconazole cream, or 1% terbinafine cream twice daily until cured, with a typical treatment duration of 2–4 weeks. Other effective topical agents include 2% ketoconazole shampoo, 20%–40% sodium thiosulfate solution, and 2.5% selenium sulfide. 3. Oral medication: For patients with extensive lesions, severe symptoms, or poor response to topical therapy alone, oral antifungal agents such as fluconazole or itraconazole may be prescribed. 4. Phototherapy: Phototherapeutic methods such as ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation or photodynamic therapy can help alleviate symptoms of pityriasis versicolor, but must be performed under medical supervision.