How does ketoconazole cream work?
Do not use Ketoconazole cream as a substitute for protecting your skin with clothing.
"I must emphasize to you that it is necessary to keep your D levels low. K cream is just not the way to do things, IMO. It is a band-aid, and, if used to protect yourself from relatively frequent sun exposure the pain and suffering resulting from light and sun exposure feels not that much different from immunopathology."
"I held down a job for a decade while wearing glasses equivalent to NoIRs and dodging the outdoors. I didn't need K cream, just careful planning.
I think it should be reserved for emergencies.
Ketoconazole is no substitute for avoiding well-lit environments. I am sorry about this, if I knew some other way to help folk back to health I would be telling you. All I can do is explain how the body works, how the immune system works, and which factors we have demonstrated are essential in leading to a full recovery."
..Trevor..
For some people, 25-D may be raised by sun exposure, and, in fact, using Nizoral (ketoconazole cream) might increase that tendency, since it blocks the conversion of 25-D to 1,25-D. So, the 25D is formed, but then goes into the blood stream instead of going straight to the 1,25-D form. See The Importance of Reducing 25-D
2% ketoconazole cream is a prescription topical antifungal cream that can be used to stop synthesis of 1,25-D within skin cells. This report, which explains that skin cells can produce Hormone D in response to light, without the help of other organs, also explains that 2% ketoconazole cream stops skin synthesis of Hormone D. The cream suppressed 1,25-D (in the experiment) when applied immediately after light exposure.
This study also demonstrates that 1,25-D is produced in skin & K cream stops the production.
However, Ketoconazole cream affects the VDR and thus may limit healing, especially of the skin, and may also permit a rise in 25-D. These are additional reasons to limit its use when possible. For more on these issues and alternatives, see the Sunscreen Overview.
We have experimented with the use of 2% ketoconazole cream to stop or block skin synthesis of 1,25-D. We know it works, but this is an off-label use of a prescription antifungal cream. Keep in mind that the report (above) that 1,25-D is produced autonomously by *skin cells* in response to light was published only 2 years ago. This is BIG NEWS that still hasn't been disseminated to many physicians yet.
It is suggested to apply a thin layer of K-cream once daily to exposed surfaces such as face and neck just before sunlight exposure.
While the preferred skin protection is to use clothing, gloves, socks, and hats, the 2% ketoconazole cream is something you can discuss with your doctor for topical use on skin that cannot be covered, and *when light exposure is unavoidable*. 2% ketoconazole cream is too expensive to be used on skin all over the body and there is always the possibility the ketoconazole could be absorbed if it were used too heavily.
The safety of K-cream is verified in this report of a safety study of several topical creams. It said, "Both calcipotriene and ketoconazole were moderate irritants and possible sensitization reactions were also associated with ketoconazole. CONCLUSION: Although every topically applied chemical has the potential to cause an adverse response in some individuals, the data obtained in this study for eight commercially available prescription dermatologic products indicate that most are quite safe and have very low risks of clinically significant irritation or sensitization."
Your doctor can write the prescription as follows:
Ketoconazole 2% cream. Apply as needed to affected areas. quantity 30g. (If your insurance covers Rx meds, ask him/her to write it for "the largest quantity available")
Do not use regular sunscreen with Ketoconazole cream. Regular sunscreens are ineffective at preventing the production of vitamin D and they will reduce the effect of the K-cream. Zinc oxide sunscreens are at least partially effective and a number of people have used zinc oxide sunscreen with K-cream and have found no negative effect from using both and report, they apparently work better together.
A reminder: When you are going out into light exposure that, as well as covering up, you can take your Benicar 40mg within 4 hours pre going out, every 4 hours during and for 12 hours after to help keep symptoms minimal.
Daktarin Gold (available in some countries) is the over-the-counter version of Nizoral 2%, done by the same company, see paragraph 4.2 in this pdf document:
http://tinyurl.com/9rhhw
Nizoral shampoo
K-cream testimonials
Please don't rely on K-cream to help you tolerate more time outside. It's effects are very limited and may provide a false sense of security. K-cream should be reserved for folks who must go outside. Those who are symptomatic after sun exposure simply need to stay indoors until they are feeling better.
Oral antifungals are not recommended because they are toxic to the liver. There is, at this time, no way to get around the necessity to avoid sun and bright lights until you are less symptomatic.
TESTIMONIALS to the Need for Avoiding Light
Sunscreen Overview
Does sunscreen prevent the production of Vitamin D?
What precautions do I need to take when I am going out or when traveling away?
Last edited on Fri Jun 13th, 2008 07:37 by Foundation Staff
|
