Efficacy of ozonized sunflower oil in the treatment of tinea pedis.

Summary.  Ozonized sunflower oil, Oleozon®, has a remarkable germicidal action. In the present study, the efficacy of Oleozon® in the treatment of tinea pedis was demonstrated in a controlled randomized phase III assay, comparing topical Oleozon® with ketoconazole cream 2% (Nizoral®) in 200 patients (100 in each group). The treatment administered was twice per day for a period of 6 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated clinically (disappearance of all lesions, with or without negative mycological results) and mycologically (negative culture results). A complete clinical and mycological cure was obtained in 75 and 81% for Oleozon® and ketoconazole, respectively, with no significant differences between both groups. No side-effects or bacterial super-infections were observed. Patients were evaluated 6 months after the end of the treatment and no recurrence was observed in the Oleozon® group. Oleozon® can be an effective alternative low-cost antimycotic drug.