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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Avoid applying oil or oily products to your skin or wearing tight, restrictive or nonventilated clothing. Sun exposure makes the fungal infection more apparent.

To help prevent tinea versicolor from returning, your doctor can prescribe a topical or oral treatment that you take once or twice a month. Preventive treatments include:

  • Selenium sulfide (Selsun) lotion applied to the affected areas every two to three weeks
  • Ketoconazole (Nizoral) tablets once a month
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsules twice daily for one day a month

DS00635

Feb. 23, 2008

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