Ongsri P.Bangchang N.N.Saengthong-Aram P.Leeyaphan C.Pattanaprichakul P.Bunyaratavej S.Mahidol University2024-11-162024-11-162024-11-01Military Medicine Vol.189 No.11-12 (2024) , e2494-e249800264075https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/102038Introduction: A rise in tinea cruris among Thai Naval Cadets has been observed. Clotrimazole powder has been shown to be effective as an adjunct treatment for tinea cruris; however, its efficacy as a monotherapy is limited. Objectives: The aim is to determine the efficacy of 1% clotrimazole cream versus 1% clotrimazole powder in treating tinea cruris. Material and Methods: A randomized trial was conducted at the Thai Naval Rating School, Chonburi, Thailand. Naval rating cadets with suspected tinea cruris were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1% clotrimazole cream or 1% clotrimazole powder, and they were instructed to apply the related medication to the affected lesion twice daily for 4 weeks. Clinical and symptomatic evaluations were carried out at 4 and 8 weeks. Results: All 17 and 14 participants who received 1% clotrimazole cream and powder, respectively, were included. After 4 weeks, the clinical cure rates were 76.5% in the cream group and 85.7% in the powder group (P = .664). All participants were clinically cured within 8 weeks. The self-evaluation of itch severity using a visual analog scale (VAS) revealed no significant difference between the two groups (P = .343). The dermatology quality of life index decreased as clinical improvement was achieved in both the clotrimazole cream and powder groups (6.0 vs. 7.5 score reductions, respectively; P = .765). The score for sweat reduction was higher in the 1% clotrimazole powder group compared to the cream group (5.0 vs. 4.0, respectively; P = .006). Conclusion: Monotherapy with 1% clotrimazole powder showed comparable efficacy to 1% clotrimazole cream. Furthermore, the powder treatment reduced sweat more effectively compared to the cream.MedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1093/milmed/usae1052-s2.0-852085421291930613X38554260