Nizoral A-D Shampoo

Most people use Nizoral as an anti-dandruff (A-D) shampoo, but I happen to be afflicted with a skin condition called tinea versicolor. The easiest way to think of tinea versicilor is that it's a fungal infection of the skin, with the official definition being: "a chronic, noninflammatory, usually asymptomatic type with multiple macular patches, seen in tropical regions and caused by Malassezia furfur."

There are several treatments, but one of the easiest is to use anti-dandruff shampoo (one with selenium sulfide or Nizoral). Note that this doesn't work for everyone. Some people have to go to the docotor an get a prescitpion strength anti-fungal. There are some orals you can take as well, though I can't remember the names.

The deal is you get these round very faint reddish-brown spots about the size of a quarter. These spots don't tan, so they end up being paler than the surrounding skin, espcially if you're in an area where you get some sun like I am (Tampa).

I get it, treat it, the spots fade, but so far, for the past 20 years, they keep coming back every year or two. So I use the Nizoral in the shower, let it sit on my skin for 5 minutes, and do that for 2 weeks. Spots go away and I'm clear for a year or two.

If you can get hold of the 2% solution (persecription strength, unless you live in Canada where you can get it over the counter), you only have to treat it for a week. This Amazon stuff is 1%, so I have to use it longer.