What is the treatment for Tinea corporis?

From the Guidelines

Tinea corporis should be treated with oral antifungal medications, such as itraconazole 100 mg daily for 15 days, as it has shown a superior mycological cure rate of 87% compared to other treatments. When considering treatment options for Tinea corporis, it is essential to prioritize the most effective and recent evidence-based approaches. According to a study published in Pediatrics 1, oral agents like itraconazole have proven efficacious in treating most cases of T corporis. The study found that itraconazole, 100 mg, given orally once a day, was superior to griseofulvin, 500 mg, orally, once a day, when given for 15 days, with a mycological cure rate of 87% versus 57%, respectively. Some key points to consider when treating Tinea corporis include:

• The use of oral antifungal medications, such as itraconazole, for more severe or extensive infections
• 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, and washing clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water to kill the fungus
• The potential for recurrence if treatment is stopped too early, emphasizing the need for completion of the full treatment course. Terbinafine appears superior for T tonsurans, but itraconazole is a more generally effective option for T corporis, as evidenced by the study 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ... tinea corporis, 2 to 4 weeks; Representative treatment periods are ... tinea corporis, 2 to 4 weeks; INDICATIONS AND USAGE Griseofulvin oral suspension, USP is indicated for the treatment of dermatophyte infections of the skin not adequately treated by topical therapy, hair and nails, namely: Tinea corporis

The treatment for Tinea corporis is griseofulvin (PO), and the recommended treatment period is 2 to 4 weeks 2 2.

• The dosage for adults is 0.5 g daily.
• The dosage for pediatric patients (older than 2 years) is 10 mg/kg daily.
• Concomitant use of appropriate topical agents is usually required.
• General measures in regard to hygiene should be observed to control sources of infection or reinfection.

From the Research

Treatment Options for Tinea Corporis

• Topical antifungal agents are the primary treatment for tinea corporis, with options including azoles, allylamines, and benzylamines 3
• Terbinafine is a commonly used topical antifungal agent that has been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with clinical cure rates significantly higher than placebo 3
• Naftifine 1% has also been shown to be effective in achieving mycological and clinical cure in patients with tinea corporis 3
• Clotrimazole 1% has been found to be effective in achieving mycological cure in patients with tinea corporis 3

Duration and Application of Treatment

• Treatment duration for tinea corporis typically ranges from 1-4 weeks, with some studies showing that shorter treatment durations can be effective 4, 5
• The frequency of application can vary, with some studies using once-daily applications and others using twice-daily applications 5, 3

Systemic Therapy

• In some cases, systemic therapy may be necessary, particularly for extensive or resistant infections 4, 6
• Oral antifungal agents such as fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine can be effective in treating tinea corporis, with varying dosing regimens and durations 6

Considerations and Precautions

• The presence of inflammation may necessitate the use of an agent with inherent anti-inflammatory properties or a combination antifungal/steroid agent 4
• Combination antifungal/steroid agents should be used with caution due to the potential for causing atrophy and other steroid-associated complications 4