From the Guidelines
The best topical treatment for tinea corporis is terbinafine 1% cream, which should be applied to the affected area and about 2 cm beyond the border of the rash, twice daily for 1-2 weeks. This recommendation is based on the fact that terbinafine has fungicidal properties, which allows for a shorter treatment duration compared to azole antifungals 1. The treatment should continue for at least one week after the rash has cleared to prevent recurrence.
Some key points to consider when using topical treatments for tinea corporis include:
- Keeping the affected area clean and dry
- Avoiding sharing personal items like towels or clothing
- Washing clothes and bedding regularly to prevent reinfection or spread to others
- Applying the medication to the affected area and about 2 cm beyond the border of the rash
It's worth noting that while other topical agents like clotrimazole 1% and miconazole 2% are available, terbinafine is often preferred due to its shorter treatment duration and fungicidal properties 1. For extensive, severe, or resistant cases, oral antifungal therapy may be necessary, with options like itraconazole and griseofulvin available 1. However, terbinafine 1% cream remains the preferred topical treatment for tinea corporis due to its efficacy and convenience.
From the FDA Drug Label
Naftin® Gel, 1% is indicated for the topical treatment of tinea pedis, tinea cruris and tinea corporis caused by the organisms Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans1 and Epidermophyton floccosum.1 The best topical treatment for tinea corporis is Naftin® Gel, 1% (2).
From the Research
Topical Treatments for Tinea Corporis
The best topical treatment for tinea corporis is a subject of several studies, with various antifungal agents being compared for their efficacy and safety.
- Terbinafine 1% cream or emulsion-gel has been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with mycological cure rates ranging from 84.2% to 94% 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Terbinafine has been compared to other topical antifungals, such as ketoconazole 2% cream, and has been found to be more effective in achieving mycological and clinical cure 6.
- A Cochrane systematic review found that terbinafine showed a statistically significant higher clinical cure rate compared to placebo, with a risk ratio of 4.51 7.
- Naftifine 1% has also been found to be effective in treating tinea corporis, with mycological cure rates favoring naftifine compared to placebo 7.
- However, the quality of the evidence for naftifine was found to be low, highlighting the need for further high-quality studies to evaluate the effects of these interventions 7.
Comparison of Topical Treatments
Several studies have compared the efficacy and safety of different topical treatments for tinea corporis, including:
- Terbinafine 1% cream versus placebo: terbinafine was found to be more effective in achieving mycological and clinical cure 5.
- Terbinafine 1% emulsion-gel versus ketoconazole 2% cream: terbinafine was found to be more effective in achieving mycological and clinical cure 6.
- Naftifine 1% versus placebo: naftifine was found to be more effective in achieving mycological cure, but the quality of the evidence was low 7.
Safety and Tolerability
The safety and tolerability of topical treatments for tinea corporis have also been evaluated in several studies.