I get recurrent small itchy area in my butt. Could this be tinea corporis?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a small round area in the buttock that was causing itching, and it appeared two to three times last three months. I was applying Dermikem OC Max cream at that time. I consulted a doctor, and he said I am having tinea corporis. The medicines that I have used so far, as per the doctor suggestion, are as follows. Take Itaspor 100 mg twice daily, Nailrox cream in the night for three weeks, Zimig 250 mg once daily, Lilituf cream once in the night for one month + two weeks gap, Itaspor 100 mg twice daily, Terbest cream in the day, Nailrox cream in the night for three weeks. I am currently under the third course of treatment, as mentioned above. The doctor suggested Terbinext cream, but that was not available, and I am using Terbest. The photo of the itching area is attached here. The itching in the buttock area goes away and again comes back in another place of the buttock. What is the exact cause of the itching problem that I am having? Whether the medication I have undergone so far is fine? Whether the cream that I am using (Terbest and Nailrox) are good enough? Will you suggest any other treatment? How much time will it take to cure this problem? Can you suggest any antifungal soap and detergent for bathing and washing clothes?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the pictures (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Yes, the condition is known as tinea corporis and is very common these days. It is a cutaneous fungal infection that lives in the upper part of the skin epidermis. To fight against it, the skin releases some chemicals that lead to itching. Except for Dermikem-OC, which has steroids (will only harm in case of tinea), other medications are fine, but I prefer Luliconazole. Usually, it takes two to four weeks to treat because of drug resistance and steroid use, it is taking a long time. So it is very difficult to give a time frame for the cure. Use the following medications for two weeks. Use Lulifin (Luliconazole) cream only once at night. Take Tablet Ebast (Ebastine) 20 mg once at night. Use Kenz (Ketoconazole) soap. Continue Terbest (Terbinafine hydrochloride) cream in the morning. I do not think you require oral antifungal now. As such, you have taken enough for a single patch, which has recovered significantly. And please keep your towels and soap separately, wash undergarments in hot water, and never apply over the counter medications.