Dandrex

Brand name:

Dandrex, Selenos, SelRx, Selseb, Selsun Blue Medicated Treatment, and Tersi Foam.

Topical selenium sulfide is indicated for the treatment of dandruff, seborrhea, and tinea versicolor, which is a skin fungal infection. It has both antifungal agent and cytostatic properties.

This topical agent slows down the growth of hyperproliferative cells. You can buy shampoos, lotions, creams, foams, and suspension of different strengths: 1% and 2.5%.

Different strengths have specific indications. The 2.5% one is mainly indicated for tinea versicolor of the body and can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription.

The form you need will also depend on your medical condition.

You and your doctor need to discuss the pros and cons of using topical selenium sulfide before beginning treatment.

To ensure that this medication is the right fit for you, you need to think about several factors. You need to make sure that you are not allergic to topical selenium sulfide or any of its components.

You should also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any foods, animals, chemicals, and other medications.

Topical selenium sulfide is expected to have the same effects on children as it has on adults although studies on pediatric clients have not been many. The same goes for elderly patients.

Topical selenium sulfide should work in geriatric patients as it does in younger adults. Selenium sulfide may also interact with other medications.

Give your doctor a complete list of your current medicines and do not take other drugs without consulting him/her first.

You should consult your healthcare provider if you need to avoid certain food, drinks, or substances like alcohol and tobacco.

You should not use topical selenium sulfide if you have blistered or oozing areas on your scalp or body as this condition may increase medication absorption.

The way you use selenium sulfide will depend on its strength but you should always follow your doctor’s instructions especially for the 2.5% selenium sulfide.

Do not increase the timing or treatment duration without consulting your physician first. However, for the 1% selenium sulfide, you can use the lotion, cream, shampoo and other forms at least twice a week or as instructed by your physician.

Read the label or ask your physician about how to properly apply selenium sulfide. For scalp dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, you need to wet your hair, as well as scalp, with lukewarm water.

Apply 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls of selenium sulfide to your scalp and lather. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly. Repeat the previous steps and rinse it again.

Wash your hands well after applying selenium sulfide. For tinea versicolor of the body, apply selenium sulfide. Do not apply it to your face and genitals. Later it using water and leave it on for 10 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly. As mentioned earlier, do not apply selenium sulfide to blistered, oozing or raw areas unless indicated by your physician. If this medicine gets into your eyes, flush it away with running water.

Adults and children with seborrheic dermatitis should use 1% lotion twice a week. For 2.5% lotion, it should be used twice a week for 2 weeks and then decreased to once a week for the rest of the treatment.

You should apply 2.5% selenium sulfide once a day for 7 days if you have tinea versicolor. Apply selenium sulfide as soon as you remember if you miss a dose.

However, skip it and resume normal timing if it’s almost time for the next one. Store this medication in a sealed container where children won’t be able to reach it.

You need to consult your medical provider right away if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

Selenium sulfide can also cause side effects. Get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience skin irritation, hair loss or hair discoloration.

If you have blonde, gray, or chemically treated hair, you should wait for 5 minutes before reapplying selenium sulfide after the first application.

There are also side effects that do not need medical treatment and resolve on their own, which include unusual oiliness or dryness of the scalp or hair.

If you have other unusual side effects, inform your doctor right away.