Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection that often affects oily and sweaty areas like the groin or trunk, and it can take time for the skin colour to fully return to normal, even after the fungus is controlled. What you are seeing now as white patches may partly be leftover pigmentation changes, which usually recover slowly over weeks to months, even after the infection improves. Since topical ketoconazole and medicated soap have already helped, that is a good sign that the active infection is reducing. In some stubborn or recurrent cases, doctors may consider oral antifungal medicines, but these are usually reserved for widespread or persistent infections and should only be started after proper examination. Along with treatment, keeping the area dry, avoiding tight synthetic clothing, and reducing excessive sweating can help prevent recurrence. Using medicated washes occasionally as maintenance may also be advised in recurrent cases. If patches are not fading, spreading again, or you are unsure whether it is still an active infection or just a colour change, a dermatologist review is important so treatment can be adjusted safely and appropriately.

Long-standing irritation in both legs with darkening of skin for years often happens when the skin keeps going through a cycle of inflammation, scratching, and healing, which leads to thickened and darker skin over time. This is commonly seen in conditions like chronic eczema, contact dermatitis, fungal overlap, or even lichen simplex, where repeated itching itself keeps the problem active even if basic blood tests are normal. In some cases, strong steroid creams used for long periods can also thin and irritate the skin or temporarily mask infection, making the problem harder to fully settle. When this becomes long-term, the focus shifts from only treating infection to breaking the itch?scratch cycle and repairing the skin barrier. Gentle cleansing, regular moisturising, avoiding harsh soaps, and preventing friction from tight clothing can help slowly calm the skin. Long-term use of combination creams with steroids and antibiotics is usually not ideal without review because it may worsen resistance or skin damage. Since you are not improving despite treatment, a proper dermatology reassessment is important to confirm the exact cause and adjust therapy, as chronic skin conditions often need a different long-term maintenance plan rather than repeated short treatments.