Efficacy of salicylic acid peel in dermatophytosis

Background: Treatment of dermatophytosis is becoming costlier and challenging. Aims and Objectives: To study the efficacy of salicylic acid peel in dermatophytosis. Methods: Twenty-five patients (20 males and 5 females) having dermatophytosis with positive potassium hydroxide (KOH) mounts were enrolled in the study. Salicylic acid 30% was applied over the lesions weekly for 4 weeks, thereafter patients were followed up weekly for 4 weeks. Results: Of the 25 patients, 22 (88%) patients showed clinical and microbiological cure 1 week after the last application, while the remaining 3 patients were nonresponders. Nine (41%) patients of the 22 responders showed recurrences indicating that 4 weeks' treatment is not sufficient in some patients to eradicate fungus and may require longer treatment. Limitations: A relatively small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up are the shortcomings of our study. Conclusion: Salicylic acid peel is a cheap and useful option in the treatment of dermatophytic infection.