From the Guidelines
Tinea corporis should be treated with oral antifungal medications, such as itraconazole 100 mg once a day for 15 days, as it has shown a superior mycological cure rate of 87% compared to other treatments 1. When treating Tinea corporis, it is essential to consider the causative agent, with Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes being common causes.
- Key considerations in treatment include:
- Oral agents, such as itraconazole and terbinafine, have proven efficacious in treating most cases of T corporis
- Itraconazole has been shown to be superior to griseofulvin in achieving mycological cure 1
- Terbinafine appears to be superior for T tonsurans infections To prevent the spread of Tinea corporis, it is crucial to:
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with people known to have lesions
- Not share towels and other fomites
- Limit exposure to swimming pools that have recently been associated with known outbreaks
- Keep the affected area clean and dry, as fungi thrive in warm, moist environments. Some key facts about Tinea corporis include:
- It is a fungal skin infection that can be contagious through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated objects
- It is caused by dermatophyte fungi that feed on keratin in the skin, creating characteristic circular, red, scaly patches with raised borders and central clearing
- High school wrestlers and judo practitioners are at higher risk of developing T corporis, with reported prevalence rates of 24% and 53% in two separate studies 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ... 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 recommended treatment period for Tinea corporis with griseofulvin is 2 to 4 weeks 2.
- The dosage for adults is 0.5 g daily and for pediatric patients (older than 2 years) is 10 mg/kg daily 2.
- Griseofulvin is indicated for the treatment of dermatophyte infections of the skin, including Tinea corporis 2.
From the Research
Definition and Diagnosis of Tinea Corporis
- Tinea corporis is a common fungal infection that mimics many other annular lesions, typically presenting as a well-demarcated, sharply circumscribed, oval or circular, mildly erythematous, scaly patch or plaque with a raised leading edge 3.
- The diagnosis is often clinical but can be difficult with prior use of medications, such as calcineurin inhibitors or corticosteroids, and can be confirmed by microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide wet-mount preparations of skin scrapings from the active border of the lesion or fungal culture 4, 3.
Treatment of Tinea Corporis
- The standard treatment of tinea corporis is with topical antifungals, and treatment should continue for at least one week after clinical clearing of infection 4.
- Systemic antifungal treatment is indicated if the lesion is multiple, extensive, deep, recurrent, chronic, or unresponsive to topical antifungal treatment, or if the patient is immunodeficient 3.
- Oral antifungal drugs such as fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, and terbinafine can be used to treat tinea corporis, with itraconazole being the most effective in some studies 5, 6.
- The efficacy of oral terbinafine versus itraconazole in treatment of dermatophytic infection of skin has been compared in some studies, with results showing that both drugs can be effective, but with some differences in efficacy and safety 6.
Efficacy and Safety of Antifungal Drugs
- The efficacy and safety of antifungal drugs can vary depending on the specific drug, dosage, and duration of treatment, as well as the severity and type of infection 5, 6.
- Some studies have shown that oral itraconazole is the most effective drug for treating tinea corporis, followed by fluconazole, terbinafine, and griseofulvin 5.
- Adverse effects of antifungal drugs can include gastrointestinal upset, headache, and taste disturbances, and can be comparable between different drugs 6.