Treating skin fungus with antifungals

Treatment for fungi on the skin, nails, scalp, foot or groin can be done with antifungals such as Fluconazole, Itraconazole or Ketoconazole in the form of ointment, tablet or in solutions indicated by the dermatologist.  

The treatment generally lasts about 30 to 60 days and, therefore, it is very important to continue the treatment for the time indicated by the doctor, even if the symptoms have disappeared, because if the treatment is interrupted it is common for the symptoms to return, since the fungus is not completely eliminated.

The one who decides the treatment is the dermatologist, according to the type of region where the mycosis occurs, which may be in: 

1. Ointments

Ointments are generally the most indicated by the dermatologist to treat mycoses of the skin, whether in the groin, candidiasis or beach fungus. Treatment usually takes 1 to 4 weeks and the drug is determined by the dermatologist depending on the type of injury the person has. The ointments normally indicated are those that contain Ketoconazole, Miconazole or Terbinafine in their composition. Learn about the 7 types of skin fungus . 

2. Solutions or lotions

The solutions must contain active ingredients capable of eliminating the fungus such as cyclopiroxolamine, miconazole, fluconazole and ketoconazole. The solutions can be used both for the treatment of fungi on the skin and for fungi that appear on the scalp, when they are not found in shampoo.

3. Enamels

Enamels are used to treat nail fungus, some examples are Niogermox that contains cyclopiroxolamine in its composition, Loceryl, Excilor, Excinail, Uñasán, among others. These are antifungals that impede the mechanism of action of the fungus and alter its structure.

4. Pills

Usually the tablets are indicated by the dermatologist when the skin fungus is very extensive and treatment with ointments or solutions is not as effective. Most of the time the dermatologist indicates the use of medications such as Fluconazole  150 mg or Terbinafine 250 mg. 

How to cure mycosis definitively

Mycosis is a skin disease that has a cure, since it is caused by fungi that can be completely eliminated with the use of the appropriate antifungal medications such as Isoconazole, Ketoconazole or Miconazole. However, it is important to maintain some simple hygiene care to avoid a new infection with the fungus.

READ ALSO: Lump on the head: main causes and what to do

Medications for mycosis must be prescribed by a dermatologist or general practitioner and their form of presentation may vary according to the affected area, and can be used in the form of ointment, shampoo, spray or lotion, to facilitate its application.

Medications for mycosis are normally applied to the affected region for 3 to 4 weeks to ensure the elimination of the fungus. However, in cases of mycosis on the skin or on the nail, the recommendation is normally to use 2 to 3 times a day, and in other cases, such as mycosis on the scalp, 2 to 3 times a week.

How to prevent mycosis from recurring

After performing the treatment for mycosis, the fungus is eliminated and the person is cured, however, it is necessary to maintain some hygiene care to prevent the infection from returning. Some of the most important cares are: 

Always keep the skin clean and dry, especially between the skin folds;

Do not bathe in public places barefoot; 

Change your stockings and underwear every day;

Wear loosely fitting cotton clothing;

Do not share clothes, towels or sheets with another person who has mycosis.

These cares help prevent fungi from developing on the skin and, therefore, prevent the emergence of mycosis. 

Signs of improvement

Signs of improvement of the fungus on the skin include the disappearance of the circular, reddish or whitish lesions of the skin and the decrease in itching, and in the case of mycosis in the nail, the disappearance of the yellowish or soft color of the nail and its growth.

Signs that the fungus is getting worse

Signs that skin fungus is getting worse arise when treatment is not done or done incorrectly and include: increased size of the skin lesion, as well as redness and itching. In the case of nail mycosis, signs of worsening are nail deformity or transmission of the infection to other nails.