From the Guidelines
Tinea corporis is treated with oral antifungal medications, such as itraconazole 100 mg daily for 15 days, which has been shown to be superior to griseofulvin with an 87% mycological cure rate. The treatment of tinea corporis involves the use of antifungal agents, and the choice of treatment depends on the severity and extent of the infection.
- For most cases of tinea corporis, oral agents like itraconazole have proven to be efficacious 1.
- Itraconazole, in particular, has been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with a study demonstrating its superiority over griseofulvin in achieving a mycological cure rate of 87% when given for 15 days 1.
- Terbinafine also appears to be a suitable option, especially for cases caused by Trichophyton tonsurans, which is a common cause of tinea corporis gladiatorum 1.
- It is essential to note that the treatment should be continued for a sufficient duration to ensure complete resolution of the infection and prevent recurrence.
- Additionally, preventive measures such as 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 can help reduce the risk of transmission 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) is terbinafine (TOP), which cures most cases and relieves accompanying symptoms such as itching, burning, cracking, and scaling 2.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tinea Corporis
- Topical antifungal agents are considered the treatment of choice for tinea corporis, with options including terbinafine, naftifine, and clotrimazole 3, 4, 5
- Systemic therapy may be necessary for extensive or resistant infections, with options including fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine 3, 6, 7
- Treatment duration varies depending on the severity of the infection and the chosen treatment, but typically ranges from 1-4 weeks for topical treatments and 1-2 weeks for systemic treatments 3, 4, 6, 7
Topical Treatment
- Terbinafine 1% cream has been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with clinical cure rates of 92% after 1 week of treatment 4
- Naftifine 1% and clotrimazole 1% have also been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with mycological cure rates of 2.38 and 2.87, respectively 5
- Topical treatments are generally well-tolerated, with minimal adverse effects reported 4, 5
Systemic Treatment
- Itraconazole has been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with clinical cure rates of 94% after 6 weeks of treatment 7
- Fluconazole and terbinafine have also been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with clinical cure rates of 50-100% after 2-3 weeks of treatment 6
- Systemic treatments are generally well-tolerated, but may cause adverse effects such as liver enzyme elevations 7