Tinea Corporis: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Features and Homoeopathic Therapeutics

Tinea corporis, commonly known as ringworm, is a superficial fungal infection of the glabrous skin. While once considered a manageable tropical infection, it has evolved into an epidemic-like, chronic, and difficult-to-treat condition in India over the last decade. Primarily caused by Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes has also emerged as a major pathogen. The infection spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, animals or contaminated objects like towels and clothing. The infection typically manifests after 1-3 weeks as a well-defined, scaly, erythematous annular plaque that spreads outward with central clearing. The diagnosis of tinea corporis is usually clinical, confirmation can be done by microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet-mount preparations and fungal cultures. Management centers on systemic or topical antifungals, avoiding the misuse of over-the-counter combinations and strictly maintaining personal hygiene to prevent recurrence. Additionally, this article outlines the role of Homoeopathic management utilizing individualized remedies such as Sepia officinalis, Tellurium, Sulphur, etc.

Tinea corporis, Ringworm, Dermatophytosis, Annular lesion

1. Dr. Seema Gupta, Dr. Pooja Jain, Role of homoeopathic medicines in tinea corporis: A case study, International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences 2019; 3(4): 01-04 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Dr. Shrishail M Murgod. Tinea corporis and homoeopathic management. Int J Hom Sci 2021;5 (4):123-126. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Uttamchandani, Piyu & Patil, Aditya. (2019). Homoeopathy an Alternative Therapy for Dermatophyte Infections. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Gupta, Yogeshwari & Tuteja, Sonia & Acharya, Ankita & Tripathi, Vikrant. (2021). Effectiveness of Homoeopathy in Tinea corporis and Tinea cruris – A Prospective, Longitudinal Observational Study. International Journal of Advanced Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 10. 618-627. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Verma SB, Panda S, Nenoff P, et al. The unprecedented epidemic-like scenario of dermatophytosis in India: I. Epidemiology, risk factors and clinical features. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2021;87(2):154-175. doi:10.25259/IJDVL_301_20 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Rajagopalan, M., Inamadar, A., Mittal, A., Miskeen, A. K., Srinivas, C. R., Sardana, K., Godse, K., Patel, K., Rengasamy, M., Rudramurthy, S., & Dogra, S. (2018). Expert consensus on the management of dermatophytosis in India (ECTODERM India). BMC Dermatology, 18, 6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Tahiliani, S., Saraswat, A., Lahiri, A. K., Shah, A., Hawelia, D., Shah, G. K., Girdhar, M., Rao, P. N., Raghav, P. A., Agarwal, P., Kharkar, R. D., Gupta, R. P., Udare, S., Hegde, S., & Haldar, S. (2021). Etiological prevalence and antifungal sensitivity patterns of dermatophytosis in India - A multicentric study. Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 87(6), 800–806. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Leung AKC, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL. Tinea corporis: an updated review. Drugs in Context 2020; 9: 2020-5-6. DOI: 10.7573/dic.2020-5-6 ] [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Miao, V.Y., Saunderson, R. B. (2024). A polycyclic scaly eruption on the trunk and shoulders. Medicine Today, 25(8), 57-59. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Devinder M Thappa, Essentials In Dermatology, 2nd edition. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publisher Ltd. New Delhi, 2009, 57-58. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Sablok, A., Singhal, R., Choudhary, V., Rathoriya, S. G., & Tandon, M. (2023). Role of dermoscopy in assisting the diagnosis of KOH positive dermatophytosis: A prospective study. Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research, 14(2). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Dr. Hahnemann S., Organon of Medicine, Translated by Dr. William Boericke, 6th Edition, New Delhi, India, B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd, 2002. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Allen JH. Diseases and therapeutics of the skin Reprinted edition, B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi 1998, 182-184. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Mittal, R., Kaushik, S., Prusty, A. K., Shivadikar, A. P., Rajashekhar, B., Mahajan, N., Taneja, D., Singh, S., Barod, N., & Khurana, A. (2025). Homeopathic Treatment Outcomes in Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris-A Multicentric, Open-Label, Prospective, Observational Study. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, AT11599. Advance online publication. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Dr. Boerick William, Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, New Delhi, India, B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd, 2002. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Dr. Phatak SR, Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines, 2nd Revised and Enlarged Edition, New Delhi, India, B. Jain Publications (P) Ltd, 1999. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Dr. Clark JH., A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, Volume I, II & III, New Delhi, India, B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd, 1999. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Dr. Kent, James Tyler. Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica, B. Jain Publishers, 1986. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Allen, H. C. Keynotes and Characteristics with Comparisons of Some of the Leading Remedies of the Materia Medica, B. Jain publishers, 2008 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome [PCOS]-A Case Study with Constitutional Homoeopathic Treatment
• “Role of Folliculinum 1M as an Intercurrent Remedy in Case of Premenstrual Syndrome & Its Homoeopathic Management”