Comparative study of ketoconazole versus selenium sulphide shampoo in pityriasis versicolor

Forty patients suffering from pityriasis versicolor were treated with either 2% ketoconazole shampoo (20 patients) or 2.5% selenium sulphide shampoo (20 patients), once a week for three weeks. On global assessment after one month of start of therapy, 19 (95%) out of 20 patients treated with ketoconazole shampoo were cured while one case had mild residual disease. In selenium sulphide shampoo group, 17 (85%) out of 20 patients were cured, one had mild residual disease and two had considerable residual disease. No significant difference was observed in the response rates in the two groups. Relapse occurred in one patient of ketoconazole group and two patients of selenium sulphide group during the follow-up period of three months.