Comparison of 1% and 2.5% Selenium Sulfide in the Treatment of Tinea Capitis

Terbinafine in the Treatment of Trichophyton Tinea Capitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Duration-Finding Study

“…Adjunctive therapy with selenium sulfide or other topical antifungal shampoo twice weekly may help to decrease shedding of viable fungal organisms during treatment and thus hasten response and prevent spread of the disease. 18,19 In view of the well-recognized compliance problems in the patient population afflicted with tinea capitis, a 2-or 4-week period of systemic terbinafine therapy is a therapeutic alternative that is more attractive than standard prolonged griseofulvin treatment. Additional studies to investigate the pharmacokinetics and effect of increased terbinafine dosing, as well as comparative trials with griseofulvin, will be extremely useful in determining the optimal therapy for tinea capitis.…”

Treatment of Tinea Capitis

“…Shampoos containing 1% selenium sulfide are affordable and available over the counter, and a 2.25% selenium sulfide shampoo is more expensive and only available via prescription [68]. A study by Givens et al [69] demonstrated that the 1 and 2.5% preparations of selenium sulfide shampoos are equally effective. Washing hair twice weekly with selenium sulfide along with oral griseofulvin have demonstrated superiority in treating tinea capitis to griseofulvin alone [67, 69].…”

“…A study by Givens et al [69] demonstrated that the 1 and 2.5% preparations of selenium sulfide shampoos are equally effective. Washing hair twice weekly with selenium sulfide along with oral griseofulvin have demonstrated superiority in treating tinea capitis to griseofulvin alone [67, 69]. Unlike systemic antifungals, it is used topically and does not result in a significant systemic absorption [70].…”

Managing scalp ringworm in children

“…A single uncontrolled study of 16 children with T. tonsurans suggested complete clearance of scalp ringworm in 33% of the children with 2% ketoconazole shampoo applied daily for 8 weeks 23. Also, in a non-blinded randomised trial involving 54 patients, both 1% and 2.5% selenium sulphide shampoo applied twice weekly reduced the surface colony counts of tinea 24. Topical antifungals are used as an adjunct to oral therapy to reduce the frequency of positive cultures during the early stages of treatment and limit the spread of infection 6 , 9…”