From the Guidelines
Tinea corporis (ringworm of the body) is typically treated with oral antifungal medications, such as itraconazole 100 mg once daily for 15 days, which has been shown to be superior to griseofulvin with an 87% mycological cure rate 1. When considering treatment options, it's essential to note that the choice of medication may depend on the specific cause of the infection, with terbinafine appearing superior for T tonsurans 1. Some key points to consider when treating Tinea corporis include:
- Avoiding skin-to-skin contact with people known to have lesions, not sharing towels and other fomites, and limiting exposure to swimming pools that have recently been associated with known outbreaks 1
- Keeping the affected area clean and dry, as fungi thrive in warm, moist environments
- Continuing treatment for at least one week after the rash has cleared to prevent recurrence
- Using oral antifungal medication for more severe or widespread cases, as they can reach the deeper layers of skin It's also important to note that Tinea corporis infections have been reported more frequently among high school wrestlers and judo practitioners, highlighting the need for preventive measures in these groups 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 The treatment for Tinea corporis (ringworm of the body) is terbinafine (TOP), as it cures most ringworm (tinea corporis) and relieves itching, burning, cracking and scaling associated with the condition 2.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tinea Corporis
- Topical antifungal agents are the primary treatment for tinea corporis, with options including azoles, allylamines, and other classes of medications 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Terbinafine 1% cream has been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with high cure rates and low relapse rates 4, 5, 6
- Naftifine 1% and clotrimazole 1% have also been found to be effective in achieving mycological and clinical cure 6
- Treatment duration varies, but typically ranges from 1-4 weeks, with once or twice daily application of the topical agent 3, 7
Factors to Consider in Treatment
- The presence of inflammation may necessitate the use of an agent with inherent anti-inflammatory properties or a combination antifungal/steroid agent 3
- The size and location of the infected area, as well as the patient's immune status, may influence the choice of treatment and duration of therapy 3, 7
- Patient compliance and satisfaction with treatment are also important considerations, with shorter treatment regimens and fewer applications potentially improving adherence 6
Efficacy and Safety of Treatment Options
- Terbinafine, naftifine, and clotrimazole have been found to be effective and well-tolerated treatments for tinea corporis, with minimal adverse effects reported 4, 5, 6
- Azoles and allylamines have been compared in several studies, with no significant difference in cure rates found between the two classes of medications 6
- The quality of evidence for many treatment options is rated as low to very low, highlighting the need for further high-quality studies to inform treatment decisions 6