Treatment of tinea cruris

Topical treatment is generally all that is required

• clotrimazole, miconazole or econazole - used twice daily for a month
• terbinafine cream used for 1-2 weeks is an alternative (1)
• treatment should be continued for 1-2 weeks after the lesions have clinically resolved (2)

Antifungal / steroid combinations may lead to a more rapid reduction in symptoms (3). However these combination preparations have no overall benefit (4).

Confirmation of the diagnosis and oral therapy may be required in more complex and multi-site infection. Oral therapy options include:

• Griseofulvin
• Terbinafine
• itraconazole (2).

It is advised that affected patients should not share towels and clothing with others.

Associated athlete's foot should be treated simultaneously (1)

Reference:

• (1) Hainer BL. Dermatophyte infections. AFP 2003;67(1)
• (2) Turchin I et al. Edema, erythema and a cutaneous lesion on the hand. Can Fam Physician. 2005;51(4): 499–501
• (3) Havlickova B, Friedrich M. The advantages of topical combination therapy in the treatment of inflammatory dermatomycoses. Mycoses. 2008;51(4):16-26
• (4) The Practitioner (1997), 241, 744-9
• (5) Prescriber (2000), 11 (7), 59-73