Abstract
This report discusses recent progress in the treatment of dermatophytosis. The fundamentals of treatment have not changed, however, in recent years, many antifungal drugs including fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine have been developed. In selecting the best possible regimen, three points should be considered: 1. the spectrum of activity, 2. the mode of action, and 3. the pharmacokinetic profile. Since systemic antifungal drugs have proven to be safe and to have minimal side effects, we are now able to use them easily and to try new treatments. First, topical treatment with terbinafine cream against serious tinea pedis showed an excellent rate of 81%; however, a comparison test between terbinafine cream on the right foot and sulconazole cream on the left foot found no difference between them. Second, in intermittent and pulse therapy the systemic antifungal drugs showed excellent results against tinea glabrosa, tinea unguium and kerion celsi. These treatments are easy to perform and have been demonstrated to provide excellent results. Third, combination therapy of topical and systemic drugs, which is given only as an example, showed an excellent success rate of 70-80% against serious tinea pedis. There is no doubt that, with the introduction of these new antifungals, further developments will be made in the treatment of dermatophytosis.
