A topical composition and the method using the composition, which contains an antifungal agent and a low potency anti-inflammatory steroid which is safe and effective such as desonide or its derivative. The low potency steroid agent does not cause side effects such as skin atrophy, striae and hypopigmentation. In a representative example, the low potency anti-inflammatory steroid has the following structure:wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 taken independently can be H, C1-C10 alkyl, C1-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, and phenyl groups R1 and R2 taken together can be C3-C10 cycloalkyl and R3, and R4 taken independently can be H, C1-C10 alkyl, C1-C10 alkenyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, phenyl, C7-C10 phenylalkyl, carboxylate, sulfonyl, phosphoryl, and phosphonyl groups. The composition can be formulated in a dosage form such as a cream, ointment, gel, lotion, foam, powder, aerosol, spray, shampoo, or liquid solution. The composition can be used to treat a fungal disease such as tinea pedis, tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea versicolor, tinea cruris, and candidiasis as well as intertriginous dermatitis complicated by candidiasis.
