Incorporating salicylic acid peel as an adjuvant in treatment of superficial dermatophytosis: a new therapeutic approach

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytosis has acquired an epidemic-like magnitude at the present times. The prevalence of the dermatophytosis is reported to be as high as 61.5% in some parts of the country. Hence, to address the management of the situation, we therefore studied 30% salicylic acid as a peeling agent for the treatment of dermatophytosis. Methods: 40 patients (25 males & 15 females) having dermatophytosis with positive potassium hydroxide (KOH) mounts were enrolled and Salicylic acid 30% application was done over the lesions weekly upto 4 weeks, and then followed up weekly upto 4 weeks. Results: 5 patients were treatment-naive, and 30 was receiving antifungal treatment in the past 6 months. A total of 30(85%) patients had achieved clinical and microbiological cure 1 week after the last salicylic acid application. Clinically, the lesions appeared to have significantly resolved with reduction in hyperpigmentation and size of the lesions. 5 patients (15%) were still KOH-positive at the end of the study period and showed clinical activity; but these patients reported symptomatic improvement. Conclusions: 30% Salicylic acid both keratolytic and anti-inflammatory effects shows it’s effect on tinea, which prevent drug resistance and facilitating fast cure of superficial dermatophytoses. Salicylic acid peels can be used successfully as an adjuvant in the treatment of tinea infections and to enhance the activity of antimycotic drugs.