From the Guidelines
Tinea corporis treatment in children typically involves topical antifungal therapy. For a child with tinea corporis, treatment usually involves applying topical antifungal agents such as clotrimazole 1% cream or ointment, twice daily for 2-4 weeks 1.
- Topical therapy options include:
- Clotrimazole 1% cream or ointment, applied twice daily for 2-4 weeks
- Terbinafine 1% cream or ointment, applied once or twice daily for 1-2 weeks
- In severe cases, oral antifungal agents such as itraconazole or terbinafine may be considered, with itraconazole showing superior efficacy to griseofulvin in some studies 1.
- The choice of oral antifungal agent may depend on the causative fungus, with terbinafine appearing superior for Trichophyton tonsurans 1.
- It is essential to note that prevention measures, such as avoiding skin-to-skin contact with people known to have lesions and not sharing towels, can help reduce the transmission of tinea corporis 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ... Representative treatment periods are ... tinea corporis, 2 to 4 weeks; ... Pediatric patients (older than 2 years): A dosage of 10 mg/kg daily is usually adequate 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 in a child is griseofulvin (PO), with a dosage of 10 mg/kg daily for 2 to 4 weeks 2.
- The dosage should be individualized.
- 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 2.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Tinea Corporis in Children
- Topical antifungal agents are considered the first line of treatment for tinea corporis in children, with options including terbinafine, azoles, and allylamines 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Terbinafine 1% cream has been shown to be effective in treating tinea corporis in children, with a high cure rate and low relapse rate after short periods of treatment 6
- Treatment duration for tinea corporis is typically 2 weeks, but may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the response to treatment 4, 5
- Oral antifungal agents, such as terbinafine, may be necessary for more extensive or severe infections, or in cases where topical treatment is not effective 3, 4, 7
Considerations for Treatment
- Accurate diagnosis is necessary for effective treatment, and may involve direct microscopy of a potassium hydroxide preparation or culture 5
- Treatment should be chosen based on the severity of the infection, the presence of exacerbating factors, and the potential for drug interactions 3, 4, 5
- Topical antifungal agents should be applied once or twice daily, and treatment should continue for at least one week after clinical clearing of the infection 5
- The presence of inflammation may necessitate the use of an agent with inherent anti-inflammatory properties or the use of a combination antifungal/steroid agent 5