Ketoconazole topical and Itching: What Users Say

• luc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 14, 2017

Ketoconazole topical for Dandruff "I used Nizoral for about 8 years. It was excellent for eliminating dandruff, which was a bad problem. But about one year ago, I started having severe itching on my upper back and upper front (chest) area. It was complete itching so severe that Benadryl ointment (over the counter) for poison ivy relief and similar products were needed to calm the itchiness. Crazy itchiness! My dermatologist gave me steroid creams for the itching, and I requested a biopsy to find out more. Inflammation showed. I decided to quit using Nizoral, and finally, the itching went away mostly. I use baby shampoo now, followed by Head and Shoulders shampoo. So far, so good. Be warned that you might develop an allergy to Nizoral or the generic years later."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2010

Ketoconazole topical for Seborrheic Dermatitis "The symptoms were improved, but not to the extent mentioned by other reviewers of this product. The gel was prescribed for use twice a day, but at the end of each day, had redness, itching, and scaling again."

• amy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2017

For Seborrheic Dermatitis "I had a very oily, itchy scalp that was covered in yellow gunk that shampoo would not remove. I tried Nizoral, which was fantastic at shifting the gunk and oil, but four months later has done nothing for the itching. So I don't really know if it's seborrheic dermatitis anymore. It's slowly losing its effectiveness as time's gone on. I don't think that shampoo alone will fix any scalp condition, it's a holistic, whole-body approach that's needed."

• Dr...
• November 19, 2009

"Ingested a small amount of ketoconazole cream on gums from lip application for herpes sore at the corner of the mouth. Severe facial edema, itching, redness, description of hives resulted. I administered an EpiPen injection, which relieved the reaction for 2 hours, but then symptoms returned, requiring a course of prednisone to resolve. DO NOT ingest ketoconazole internally, as this may result in an anaphylactic event for predisposed individuals. EXTERNAL USE ONLY."

• Rwo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 9, 2025

"I've been struggling with 'ringworm' for over a decade. One day working at a fast food place, I stepped in 'garbage water.' My foot was soaked in grease and everything from the dumpster. I was not allowed to go home and change my shoes. Over 10 years later, I still have 'ringworm.' It looks like little craters on my toes. I've had doctors look at it, instantly prescribe ketoconazole. Recently, my doctor looked at it and said, 'It's not that bad, wear socks less.' But at the same time, prescribed K-zole. I feel like I am making the ringworm stronger by continuously working in damp environments and not using the cream twice a day. I'm tired. After a day, I take off my boots that have 'breathing holes.' I forget. I have spurts of horrible itchy, moon-like toes with ringworm. Or I am so tired I forget. It's 2% cream, supposed to be twice a day. I did that for 2 months. I wear cotton/wool socks. It was gone. I sprayed and also put shoes in the freezer. It keeps coming back. Ketoconazole works, I use it."