Effectiveness of antifungal cream containing two percent ketoconazole, zinc oxide, transcutol and lactic acid vs two percent ketoconazole in the management of treatment naive cutaneous superficial fungal infections A randomized open label control trial

Superficial fungal infections are among the most common dermatoses in dermatology practice, primarily caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds. Conventional topical antifungals such as azoles and allylamines are effective but are often limited by intolerance, resistance, and side effects. Ketoconazole, a widely used topical antifungal, acts by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis but is associated with irritation and other cutaneous adverse effects. To address these limitations, a novel topical formulation containing 2% ketoconazole combined with zinc oxide, transcutol, and lactic acid has been developed. This multi-component cream aims to enhance antifungal efficacy, reduce side effects, improve skin tolerance, and support barrier repair, thereby providing a cost-effective and well-tolerated treatment option for superficial fungal infections.