Keratolytic soaps versus topical azoles in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor

Background Pityriasis versicolor is a benign affliction of the skin by the yeast P. orbiculare that can become pathogenic in hot and humid weather and is very common in countries like Pakistan. Objective Anti-fungals are considered the therapy of choice in this disease. It was planned to compare these drugs with a 10% sulphur -3% salicylic acid keratolytic soaps in the treatment of this disorder. Patients and methods This was an open ended comparative clinical trial involving 40 patients. Group 1 comprised patients treated with 10% sulphur and 3% salicylic acid soap applied for 5 minutes daily for a period of 6 weeks. Patients were assessed initially at presentation and then at 2 weekly intervals up to six weeks. Group 2 comprised patients treated with 1% clotrimazole lotion twice daily for 2 weeks. These patients were assessed at presentation and then after 2 weeks. Results Cure rate (taken as negative skin scrapings for fungal hyphae) determined on the completion of each individual course was as follows: Group 1: 62% and group 2: 100%. Conclusion Therefore, it was concluded that topical anti-fungals are better than sulphur- salicylic acid keratolytic soaps in treating pityriasis versicolor.