Top 4 Fungal Treatment Options
Finding out you have a fungal infection is no laughing matter. Numerous questions are bound to flood your mind. Fungal infections, or mycosis, is contracted via contact with the fungus. The only way to get a fungal infection is by coming in contact with a person, surface, or material that had fungal growth. This includes infections, like jock itch, athlete’s foot, yeast infection, or ringworm. Common symptoms include general skin irritation, itchy and scaly skin, redness, blistering, and swelling. Luckily, fungal infections are quite easy to treat. So to completely put your mind at ease, here are four top fungal treatment options for you to discuss with your licensed dermatologist.
What Are The Best Fungal Treatments?
1. Antifungal Creams and Ointments
The first line of treatment for a fungal infection of the skin will most likely be an antifungal cream. Available over the counter in the majority of stores, this readily available treatment works by blocking the growth of the fungus. There are multiple types of antifungal cream and ointments like clotrimazole, miconazole, amorolfine, among many others. Some creams fulfill two functions: preventing the growth of a fungus and treating a rash or alleviating the symptoms. The two-in-one creams may be a blend of other creams like hydrocortisone which works to minimize itching.
2. Medicated Shampoo
Yes, you can also develop a fungal infection of the scalp. Cases like this can exacerbate the irritation thanks to the fact that fungus is growing underneath the hair. To get rid of the fungus, patients can use anti-fungal shampoo with 2% of ketoconazole. Ketoconazole will kill the fungus and prevent it from growing back. Alternatively, common shampoos, like Head and Shoulders, contain selenium sulfide, another antifungal agent. Do a bit of shopping and find an over-the-counter shampoo that works for you.
3. Oral Tablets, Gels, or Liquids
When most people think of treatment for a skin condition, they are likely to believe that it must be topical. But that’s not always the case. There are oral medications in the form of tablets, gels, or liquids that can be taken to treat a fungal skin infection. Miconazole, though it often serves as an antifungal ingredient in creams and ointments, is also used as a type of oral treatment method, garnering the same results.
4. Injections
For more severe fungal infections that appear inside the body (like fungal infection of the lungs, mouth, or ear) as opposed to on top of the skin, dermatologists may choose to prescribe an antifungal injection. These injections are usually strong antifungals, like voriconazole, amphotericin, and flucytosine, among others. Like oral medication, these treat the infection by preventing the growth of the fungus and killing it.
These are a list of the top four skin fungal treatment options. There are, however, other options worth exploring like antifungal sprays or oral capsules. To get a full range of fungal treatment options, speak with a licensed dermatologist about what will work for you.
If you are in Cincinnati, Ohio, our experts at The Dermatology Group are here to help. We are ready to offer you treatment solutions, advice, resources, and much more. Give us a call today!