From the Guidelines
Tinea corporis is best treated with oral antifungal medications, specifically itraconazole 100 mg daily for 15 days, which has shown a superior mycological cure rate of 87% compared to other treatments. When considering treatment options, it's essential to prioritize morbidity, mortality, and quality of life as the outcome. According to the study published in Pediatrics 1, oral agents have proven efficacious in the treatment of most cases of T corporis. The study found that itraconazole was superior to griseofulvin in achieving a mycological cure rate.
- Key points to consider when treating Tinea corporis include:
- The use of oral antifungal medications, such as itraconazole, for extensive or severe cases
- The importance of avoiding skin-to-skin contact with people known to have lesions and not sharing personal items like towels or clothing
- Keeping the affected area clean and dry to prevent reinfection
- Washing bedding and clothing in hot water to prevent reinfection
- It's also important to note that terbinafine appears superior for T tonsurans, but the study found itraconazole to be more effective for T corporis 1.
- In terms of prevention, avoiding skin-to-skin contact and not sharing personal items can help reduce the risk of transmission, as outlined in the study 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 Representative treatment periods are tinea capitis, 4 to 6 weeks; tinea corporis, 2 to 4 weeks;
Tinea corporis treatment options include:
- Terbinafine (TOP), which cures most ringworm (tinea corporis) 2
- Griseofulvin (PO), with a representative treatment period of 2 to 4 weeks for tinea corporis 3
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tinea Corporis
- Oral terbinafine 250 mg/day is effective in the treatment of superficial dermatophyte infections, including tinea corporis, achieving mycological cure in > 80% of patients 4
- Topical terbinafine 1% formulations are effective when applied once or twice daily for up to 2 weeks, achieving mycological cure in > 80% of patients with tinea corporis 4
- Griseofulvin has been used to treat tinea corporis, but its effectiveness may be lower compared to terbinafine and itraconazole 5, 6
- Itraconazole has been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with a higher cure rate compared to fluconazole, griseofulvin, and terbinafine 6
Duration of Treatment
- Treatment of tinea corporis typically lasts for 2-4 weeks, depending on the severity of the infection and the chosen antifungal agent 7
- Treatment should continue for at least one week after clinical clearing of the infection 7
Choice of Antifungal Agent
- The choice of antifungal agent depends on the severity of the infection, the presence of inflammation, and the potential for drug interactions 4, 7
- Terbinafine and itraconazole are considered first-line treatment options for tinea corporis, while griseofulvin and fluconazole may be used as alternative options 4, 6