Until recently, griseofulvin was the most widely used systemic antifungal drug, but its use as first-line treatment of cutaneous fungal infections is decreasing with the availability of newer drugs. The adult dosage is microsize griseofulvin 250 mg po bid to qid, best given with a high-fat meal. Headache is the most common side effect, and the drug occasionally causes GI distress, photosensitivity, rashes, or leukopenia. Angioedema has been reported. Vertigo and, rarely, exacerbation of lupus erythematosus or transient hearing reduction may occur.
Topical imidazoles used with oral griseofulvin increase the cure rate.
Trichophyton sp is usually the cause . Differential diagnosis includes pityriasis rosea, drug eruptions, nummular dermatitis, erythema multiforme, tinea versicolor, erythrasma, psoriasis, and secondary syphilis. A variant form appears as nummular scaling patches studded with small papules or pustules. Inflammatory types of tinea corporis usually respond readily to specific topical antifungal medications. Extensive and resistant lesions occur in patients infected with Trichophyton rubrum and in persons with debilitating systemic diseases.