Itraconazole therapy for white piedra affecting scalp hair.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of white piedra remains an area of therapeutic frustration. Several topical and systemic antifungal agents have failed to eradicate the fungus and prevent disease recurrence. Itraconazole is a safe and effective systemic antifungal agent for various superficial and deep mycotic infections of the skin and hair. In vitro studies have shown significant antifungal activity against Trichosporon beigelii.


OBJECTIVE
Our study was intended to assess the efficacy of itraconazole in the treatment of uncomplicated white piedra affecting the scalp hair.


METHODS
The study was designed as an open trial involving 12 female patients with white piedra of the scalp hair. They were administered oral itraconazole 100 mg once daily until culture negativity was achieved; they were then followed up for 3 months.


RESULTS
Eleven patients (91.67%) showed disease remission after 8 weeks of treatment. One patient (8.33%) showed no improvement, and the disease recurred in 2 patients (16.67%) after completion of therapy. No significant side effects were noted.
Khandpur
Sujay
S
Department of Dermatology and S.T.D., Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India. shaifalikhandpur@id.eth.net
Reddy
Belum Sivanagi
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D012535:Scalp; D014250:Trichosporon / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole