Abstract

The treatment of fungal infections (‘ringworm’ or ‘tinea’) of the skin, hair and finger nails has been revolutionised by griseofulvin given orally. This drug is mainly needed to treat small-spore and favus infections of the scalp, and Trichophyton rubrum infections of the skin and fingernails, since this organism is very resistant to topical applications. Griseofulvin does not cure T. rubrum infections of the toenails; it is generally not needed for minor infections with organisms other than T. rubrum, and it has little effect on toe-web infection. Griseofulvin is ineffective in tinea versicolor (caused by Malassezia furfur), and infections by the yeast-like organism Candida albicans.¹