Oxiconazole: A Comprehensive Review on its Role in Superficial Fungal Infections

Abstract

Oxiconazole is a topical antifungal medicine that belongs to the imidazole group. It is mainly used to treat superficial fungal
infections of the skin. It works well against different types of fungi, including dermatophytes (which cause skin infections),
Candida species (a type of yeast), and some Gram-positive bacteria. Health care professionals commonly use oxiconazole to
treat conditions like athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), ringworm of the body (tinea corporis), and tinea versicolor (a skin infection
that causes discolored patches). Oxiconazole mainly stops fungi from growing (fungistatic effect), but at higher doses, it
may kill them directly (fungicidal effect). It works by blocking the production of ergosterol, an essential part of the fungal
cell membrane. Without ergosterol, the membrane becomes weak and leaky, disrupting normal cell function. This review
highlights oxiconazole’s mode of action, range of antifungal activity, clinical uses, resistance patterns, and safety. It shows
why oxiconazole remains a valuable option in treating skin fungal infections.