SUPERFICIAL FUNGAL INFECTIONS : GETTING RID OF LESIONS THAT DON'T WANT TO GO AWAY

Systematic analysis of possible dermatophyte and candidal skin infections leads to an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment with a specific regimen. The first steps are thorough skin examination and evaluation with a potassium hydroxide preparation. Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis, cutaneous candidiasis, and tinea versicolor can be treated with many topical antifungal agents, whereas tinea capitis requires oral griseofulvin therapy. Frequently used topical medications for tinea and candidal infections include clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), econazole nitrate (Spectazole), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole nitrate (Monistat-Derm, Micatin), oxiconazole nitrate (Oxistat), and ciclopirox olamine (Loprox). Topical selenium sulfide lotion can also be used for tinea versicolor, which is often a recalcitrant problem.