[Treatment of superficial mycoses in the tropics. Results of a double-blind study in the Karonga District, Malawi].

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