Comparison of Topical Terbinafine vs Topical Mometasone Furoate and Terbinafine Use in Dermatophyte Infections: A Retrospective Study

Objective: Superficial fungal infections of the skin are common infections worldwide, especially in the regions with humid climates. Topical antifungals are the 1st choice treatment in uncomplicated cases. Combinations with topical corticosteroids may be an option to reduce the rate of side effects due to irritant or allergic contact dermatitis caused by carriers and alcohol in the drug content and to rapidly control symptoms in cases where itching and inflammation are severe. We planned to investigate the contribution of short-term topical corticosteroid use to treatment and its side effects by comparing patients using topical terbinafine and patients using mometasone furoate-terbinafine combination in terms of symptoms and examination findings in dermatophyte infections. Material and Methods: In our study, 62 adult patients who were clinically diagnosed with tinea corporis, tinea pedis, tinea manuum, and tinea cruris were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who used topical terbinafine cream as monotherapy and patients who continued treatment with topical terbinafine, following the mometasone furoate-terbinafine combination were compared. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated according to symptoms and findings. Results: When comparing the duration of control of symptoms in patients, the median value was 14 days in the monotherapy group and 7 days in the combination therapy group (p<0.001). No side effects were observed in any of the patients during the treatment. Conclusion: As a result, a faster clinical response was achieved in the group receiving combination therapy compared to the group receiving monotherapy. Rapid improvement of symptoms will increase confidence in treatment, increase the duration of treatment, and reduce the complications.