What topical cream is used to treat a fungal infection on the arm?

From the Guidelines

For a fungal infection on the arm, terbinafine 1% cream is the most effective topical treatment, applied daily for 1 week, with a mycological cure rate of approximately 94%. This recommendation is based on the study by 1, which found terbinafine to be effective in treating fungal infections. When using terbinafine 1% cream, it is essential to apply a thin layer to the affected area and about an inch beyond it, usually daily for 1 week. Some key points to consider when using topical antifungal creams include:

• Washing and drying the area thoroughly before application
• Keeping the affected area clean and dry to prevent the fungus from thriving
• Considering alternative over-the-counter options, such as butenafine or clotrimazole, although terbinafine has been shown to be highly effective
• Consulting a healthcare provider if the infection covers a large area, is severe, doesn't improve after treatment, or keeps recurring, as prescription-strength medication may be necessary. It is crucial to note that while butenafine and clotrimazole are alternative options, terbinafine has been shown to have a high mycological cure rate, making it the preferred choice for treating fungal infections on the arm, as supported by the study 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 30 g Carton Cures Most Athlete's Foot Terbinafine Hydrochloride Cream 1% Antifungal Cream Full Prescription Strength NET WT 1 oz (30 g) The topical cream used to treat a fungal infection is Terbinafine Hydrochloride Cream 1% 2.

• It is an antifungal cream.
• The cream is used to treat fungal infections such as Athlete's Foot. However, the label does not specifically mention its use on the arm.

From the Research

Topical Creams for Fungal Infections

• Terbinafine 1% cream is effective in treating fungal infections such as tinea pedis, tinea corporis/cruris, cutaneous candidiasis, and pityriasis versicolor, achieving mycological cure in > 80% of patients 3
• Terbinafine is fungicidal, actually killing the fungal organisms, and is often preferred over fungistatic drugs for treatment of dermatophytic fungal infections 4
• Topical terbinafine is a treatment of choice in less extensive mycoses, and its formulations are at least as effective as miconazole 2% cream and naftifine 1% gel in tinea pedis 3
• Azole drugs such as miconazole, clotrimazole, and ketoconazole are also used to treat fungal infections, but are fungistatic, limiting fungal growth but depending on epidermal turnover to shed the still-living fungus from the skin surface 4
• Naftifine 1% and clotrimazole 1% are also effective in achieving mycological and clinical cure in patients with tinea cruris and tinea corporis 5

Treatment Options

• Terbinafine 1% cream is a suitable option for treating fungal infections on the arm, such as tinea corporis 3, 5
• Other treatment options include naftifine 1%, clotrimazole 1%, and azole drugs, but the choice of treatment may depend on the specific type of fungal infection and the patient's preferences 4, 5, 6
• Topical antifungal treatments are generally effective and well-tolerated, but the quality of evidence for some treatments is low or very low due to the risk of bias and imprecision in the studies 5