From the Guidelines
Terbinafine 1% cream applied daily for 1 week is the most effective treatment for Tinea cruris, with a mycological cure rate of approximately 94%. This treatment option is approved for children 12 years and older 1. Other alternatives include butenafine applied twice daily for 2 weeks and clotrimazole applied twice weekly for 4 weeks, but butenafine is only approved for adults 1.
Key Considerations
- Oral itraconazole (100 mg daily for 2 weeks or 200 mg daily for 1 week) has been shown to be effective in adults for treating T cruris and superior to oral griseofulvin (500 mg daily for 2 weeks) 1
- Treatment should be continued for at least one week after symptoms resolve to prevent recurrence
- Keeping the groin area clean and dry, wearing loose cotton underwear, and avoiding sharing towels or clothing can help prevent the spread of the infection
Treatment Options
- Topical antifungal medications: terbinafine 1% cream, butenafine, clotrimazole
- Oral antifungal medications: itraconazole, griseofulvin (although less effective) 1
From the FDA Drug Label
Uses • cures most athlete's foot (tinea pedis) • cures most jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm (tinea corporis) • relieves itching, burning, cracking and scaling which accompany these conditions Directions • adults and children 12 years and older o use the tip of the cap to break the seal and open the tube o wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely before applying o for jock itch and ringworm: apply once a day (morning or night) for 1 week or as directed by a doctor.
Tinea cruris treatment involves applying terbinafine (TOP) once a day for 1 week or as directed by a doctor 2, 2.
- Key points:
- Apply terbinafine (TOP) to the affected area
- Wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely before applying
- Apply once a day for 1 week or as directed by a doctor
- Wash hands after each use
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tinea Cruris
- Topical antifungal treatments are often used to treat tinea cruris, with options including allylamines (such as terbinafine and naftifine) and azoles (such as clotrimazole and ketoconazole) 3, 4.
- Oral antifungal agents, such as terbinafine and itraconazole, may also be used to treat tinea cruris, particularly in cases where topical treatment is not effective 5.
- The choice of treatment may depend on factors such as patient compliance, medication accessibility, and cost 3.
Efficacy of Treatment Options
- Terbinafine has been shown to be effective in achieving clinical and mycological cure in patients with tinea cruris, with a significant reduction in symptoms such as pruritus, scaling, and erythema 4, 5.
- Naftifine has also been shown to be effective in achieving mycological and clinical cure in patients with tinea cruris 4.
- Itraconazole has been shown to be effective in achieving mycological cure and clinical global improvement in patients with tinea cruris, with a significant reduction in symptoms such as pruritus, scaling, and erythema 5.
- Azoles, such as clotrimazole, have also been shown to be effective in achieving mycological cure in patients with tinea cruris 4.
Duration of Treatment
- The duration of treatment for tinea cruris may vary depending on the treatment option chosen, but typically ranges from 2-4 weeks for topical treatments and 4 weeks for oral treatments 6, 5.
- Treatment should continue for at least one week after clinical clearing of infection 6.