Advances in Nanoemulgel-Based Topical Antifungal Systems for the Treatment of Dermatophytosis

Dermatophytosis is one of the most common superficial fungal infections affecting keratinized tissues such as the skin, hair, and nails. The condition is primarily caused by dermatophytes belonging to the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Increasing incidence of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis, particularly in tropical countries, has become a major therapeutic concern due to antifungal resistance, irrational corticosteroid use, and poor patient compliance. Conventional topical antifungal formulations such as creams, ointments, and lotions often demonstrate limited skin penetration, inadequate drug retention, frequent application requirements, and reduced therapeutic effectiveness. Nanoemulgel systems have emerged as advanced topical drug delivery platforms that combine the advantages of nanoemulsions and gel systems to overcome these limitations. The nanosized droplets enhance drug solubility, permeation, and bioavailability, while the gel matrix improves viscosity, spreadability, retention time, and sustained drug release. Nanoemulgels have shown promising outcomes in improving antifungal activity, skin permeation, formulation stability, and patient compliance compared with conventional topical systems. This review highlights the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of dermatophytosis, together with current treatment approaches, and places special emphasis on nanoemulgel formulation strategies, components, preparation methods, mechanisms of skin penetration, evaluation parameters, recent patents, challenges, and future perspectives in antifungal therapy.