Tinea Corporis Management

Clinical Presentation

The patient presents with itchy, scaly lesions with central clearing and raised margins, which is a classic symptom of tinea corporis, also known as ringworm 1
Temporary symptom relief with a topical ointment, followed by recurrence and worsening after stopping the ointment, is a pattern pathognomonic for inappropriate corticosteroid use on a fungal infection, creating "tinea incognito" 1

Topical antifungals, such as azoles (e.g. miconazole) or allylamines (e.g. terbinafine), are recommended as first-line treatments for superficial dermatophyte infections, including tinea corporis 1
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding all corticosteroids on active fungal infections, as they can suppress the inflammatory response and allow the fungal infection to proliferate unchecked beneath the surface 1
Topical azoles, including miconazole, are effective for treating tinea corporis and would have resulted in cure, not recurrence, with a recommended treatment duration of 2-4 weeks 1