TREATMENT OF SUPERFICIAL MYCOSES IN THE TROPICS - RESULTS OF A DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL IN KARONGA DISTRICT, MALAWI

A double-blind trial was undertaken in Karonga District, Northern Mala wi comparing Whitfield's cream (3 % salicylic acid and 6 % benzoylic a cid) and clotrimazole cream in the treatment of dermatophyte infection s of the skin. To date, 138 patients have been reviewed; 65 of these p atients received Whitfield's cream and 73 received clotrimazole cream. Within 4 weeks to 4 months after the beginning of treatment, there we re six definite treatment failures in each group. In view of the consi derable difference in price between the two preparations, Whitfield's cream should be considered as the treatment of choice in tropical prim ary health care.