3 Dec 2025 • A case-control study from South India reported a strikingly higher self-medication rate in patients with dermatophytosis than in those with other skin disorders.

Among 378 participants, 21.7% used medications without a prescription, but the prevalence surged to 36.8% in dermatophytosis versus 9.2% in other dermatologic conditions. Topical antifungals were the most common agents, and usage patterns remained similar across naïve, chronic, chronic and recurrent, and chronic and relapsed.

Although the overall prevalence was lower than that reported in earlier regional studies, the findings highlight ongoing gaps in dermatology access and reinforce the need for stronger public education and tighter controls on over-the-counter antifungal products to curb misuse.

Source: IJDVL | Read Full Story