Treatment of superficial fungous infections. Value and limitations of systemic administration of griseofulvin.

Comprehensive studies and numerous clinical reports have shown that griseofulvin orally in a dose of 1 gm. daily is an effective treatment for superficial fungous infections of the skin, hair and nails. The drug is not effective against yeast infections (moniliasis), bacterial infections or most of the deep fungous infections. Duration of treatment varies with the site of infection, glabrous skin, crotch and scalp responding within four to five weeks. Infections of palms, soles and nails require a considerably longer time, palms healing more quickly than soles and fingernails more quickly than toenails, which may require up to a year of continuous treatment. Auxiliary measures such as clipping hair, removing infected nail tissue and topical fungicides shorten the duration of treatment. No serious side effects have been reported. Minor discomforts such as headaches and mild rashes occur in some cases. Observations of a series of 49 patients with superficial fungous infections, especially hand, foot and nail infections due to Trichophyton rubrum, confirmed these reports taken from the literature. Attempts to use a reduced dosage schedule did not prove satisfactory.