Skin and nail fungus is a difficult to cure and common disease. It requires long-term complex treatment, but at the initial stage of development of the pathology, antifungal ointments have a good effect. It is not necessary to buy expensive drugs. Modern pharmacy chains offer a wide selection of cheap but effective medicines that can eliminate the signs of the disease at its very beginning.
General principle of action and types of antifungal ointment
Antifungal agents have a fungicidal or fungistatic effect, which allows them to be used for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections.
To get rid of fungal infections, medications are used that differ in origin, spectrum and mechanism of action, effect, indications, and methods of use.
Azoles
Azole ointments are designed for topical use. In some cases, they can also be used to treat advanced stages of fungal infection. Azoles have a broad spectrum of action against a variety of pathogenic fungi.
The duration of treatment with azoles varies, but generally the course of use is up to 4 weeks.
Allylamine
Allylamines are synthetic drugs that include terbinafine (taken topically and orally) and naftifine (topically). Prescribed for superficial mycoses. Such drugs are well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and are prolonged in nature.
Drugs for the treatment of fungus in children
Almost all medications used to treat fungal infections have a high degree of toxicity. Therefore, such drugs are used very rarely for the treatment of diseases in children. Only in the most extreme cases can a dermatologist prescribe such a medicine. In this case, the child must have a severe form of the disease.
The following drugs can be used to treat children with the permission of a doctor:
- Terbizil ointment. It is the safest and can be used even for small children.
- Lamisil and Exoderil. It is allowed to be used to treat illness in a child over 12 years of age.
- Amphotericin B. To relieve acute candidiasis, you can use the drug once.
- Mifungar or Nizoral. It is allowed to be used by children to cure nail fungus.
- Tolnaftat. It is allowed to be used to eliminate dermatophytosis.
List of the best effective remedies
The top 23 most effective drugs include the following.
Pimafucin
The ointment affects all fungal microorganisms. It is enough to apply it to the affected area of skin or nail twice a day until all symptoms of infection are completely eliminated.
It can be used as a prophylactic. The ointment is not absorbed into the blood, so it can be used by pregnant, nursing mothers and children.
Nystatin
The ointment is applied to the affected area twice a day. The course of treatment is up to 2 weeks. The product is effective and does not cause allergic reactions. Available according to prescription. Cannot be used during pregnancy.
Clotrimazole
Effective at the initial stage of the disease. Prevents the proliferation of mold fungi and Candida. Course – up to 1 month. It is inexpensive and does not cause allergic reactions. Disadvantages: not very pleasant smell and leaving marks on clothes. Cannot be used by children under 12 years of age.
Exoderil
Effective against all types of fungi that affect the skin of the feet. Has an antibacterial effect, eliminates inflammatory processes. The course of treatment is up to 2 months, in severe cases – up to 8 months.
Cannot be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Nizoral
An effective remedy against fungal infections, inhibiting the growth and development of the fungus. Available in the form of cream, tablets and shampoo. The first results are noticeable within 1-2 weeks. The product in the form of an ointment is used in the later stages of the disease.
Ketoconazole
The drug is available in tablet form. Eliminates many fungi, blocking the formation of colonies and the process of their spread, which completely eliminates the fungus. Taken once a day during meals. Can be used by both adults and children.
The advantage is affordable cost.
Mycospor
The product helps with primary fungus, but its main purpose is to prevent the disease, so the best option is to use it after treating the fungus.
Shows high efficiency, has a neutral odor, and is quickly absorbed. Can be used for children over 1 year of age and pregnant women, but with caution.
Zalain
The product destroys cells of harmful fungus. It is used once: 1 vaginal suppository is inserted into the vagina before going to bed in a lying position. If symptoms of fungal infection persist, the drug must be administered again after 1 week.
Lamisil
The product prevents the spread of fungus and quickly restores areas of the nail that are affected by infection. Course duration is up to 2 months.
If you shorten the course, the disease may reappear. The cream has no unpleasant odors, is quickly absorbed, and is highly effective. You can find it in any pharmacy.
The disadvantage is the high cost.
Mycozolon
The ointment has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It eliminates itching and flaking.
Terbinafine
An effective antifungal agent that immediately blocks the development of fungal infection in the initial stages of the disease. It is necessary to treat the skin of the feet every morning and evening. Course duration is up to 8 weeks.
The product should not be used by children under 12 years of age.
Mikozan
The product has a destructive effect on the lipid membrane of the fungus, destroying it and preventing its spread. The ointment creates an unfavorable environment for fungal infection. It can be used as a prophylactic.
Contraindication: children under 4 years of age.
Bufinal
Bifunal is an effective antifungal agent that must be applied to the fungus-affected area before bedtime. Duration of treatment is up to 3 weeks depending on the severity of the disease.
Contraindications: infancy, pregnancy in the third semester.
Candide
The cream contains components that are slowly absorbed into the nails and skin. They accumulate in pathological foci, which eliminates the provocateurs of the disease.
The cream can independently relieve the disease without the use of other drugs. Does not cause side effects. Can be used during pregnancy - except the first trimester.
The disadvantage is the high cost.
Tinedol
Fungal infection cream. Destroys fungus without causing side effects. The first results are noticeable after just a few days of daily use of the drug. The cream eliminates unpleasant symptoms of infection, eliminates inflammatory processes, and promotes rapid healing of the skin.
Novastep
The ointment slows down the development of fungal infections, destroys pathogens, and eliminates unpleasant odors.
The drug disinfects the nail plate and skin, eliminates peeling, and restores areas affected by fungus. Auxiliary components (vitamins, celandine and larch extract) enhance the effect of the drug.
Salicylic
A folk remedy for treating fungal infections. The ointment suppresses the sebaceous glands, reduces sweating, which eliminates unpleasant odor and a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. The stratum corneum softens, and the fungus becomes easier to remove mechanically without damaging the nail.
Zinc
A universal drug that helps with fungal infections, as well as diaper rash and pimples. The ointment contains zinc oxide, which destroys the fungus and relieves itching and burning. The product strengthens the nails and skin of the feet and has a minimum of contraindications. Can be used by adults and teenagers. The course lasts up to 1 month.
The drug is applied every day before bedtime. It is inexpensive and has a simple composition, but takes a long time to absorb. One course will require several tubes.
Sulfuric
The ointment has been used for a long time to eliminate fungal infections. It is available in every pharmacy and is inexpensive. The drug has an anti-inflammatory effect, preventing the spread of infection. The affected tissues soften and quickly regenerate.
Sulfur ointment shows effectiveness on any parts of the body that are affected by fungus. Its regular use for a month creates resistance to various types of fungus.
Disadvantage: possible redness of the skin.
Vishnevsky
The instructions for the ointment do not contain fungal infection as an indication for the use of the drug, however, user reviews allow us to conclude that the ointment is effective against such a problem. At the same time, it remains a folk method of treating fungus.
The ointment contains birch tar, a natural component that has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. As a result, it perfectly fights fungal infections. The xeroform contained in the composition does not have an antifungal effect, but it accelerates the healing of affected areas and enhances the effects of tar.
Levomekol
The ointment is used externally. It has antibacterial properties, which allows you to restore skin cells on your feet. Using the ointment eliminates cracks on the feet, relieves inflammation, and heals wounds quickly and effectively. The drug is safe for health and has no side effects.
However, if you are hypersensitive, the ointment should not be used..
Ichthyol
The ointment is effective in fighting fungus: it has an anti-inflammatory effect, disinfects the affected area and promotes its rapid regeneration. Peeling, itching and excessive dryness of the skin are eliminated.
If desired, you can mix the drug with glycerin. The ointment is applied to the affected area of skin and fixed with a bandage. The period of use of the product is up to 2 weeks. If the fungal infection is in an advanced stage, then the ointment can be used for up to 1 year.
Thai
The ointment is successfully used in the treatment of fungal infections, as well as for urticaria, eczema and skin lesions. The drug prevents the proliferation of fungus and bacteria, has an antiseptic and antibacterial effect. It can be used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of fungal infections.
Mifungar cream
The product for topical use has a therapeutic effect against most pathogenic fungi. The cream is applied at night. Mifungar Features:
| Characteristic | ||
| Active substance | Oxiconazole nitrate | Synthetic derivative of imidazole, antifungal agent for skin and hair. |
| What fungi does it destroy? | Active against yeast forms, dermatophytes | |
| Side effects | Rash, itching, tingling | |
| Contraindications | Age less than 8 years, sensitivity to imidazole | |
| Price, rub. | 270 |
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How to choose a good and inexpensive remedy for the treatment of mycosis
When choosing, you must visit a doctor and get tested. Based on the data obtained, the specialist will prescribe a suitable medication.
Depending on the severity of mycosis, local or systemic drugs are prescribed. If the disease is at an early stage, local remedies are effective. In severe situations, capsules and tablets will be required.
In what cases are tablets prescribed?
Fungal diseases, with the exception of the initial stage, require complex treatment, that is, a combination of external and internal agents. Tablets for mycotic infections of the skin and nails are selected for the patient individually, depending on the type of pathogen identified, the area of the pathological process, the characteristics of the person’s health and the state of his immunity. It is almost impossible to take into account all these factors without the participation of a doctor.
The list of indications for prescribing antifungal drugs includes infections of the skin and nails, which are characterized by severe pathology with concomitant damage to internal organs. The tablets, entering the patient’s gastric tract, are actively absorbed by his tissues, enter the systemic bloodstream and are carried to the locations of mycosis pathogens. Concentrating in the foci of fungal infection, the active components of the drugs block the synthesis of protein fractions necessary for the growth and development of pathogenic microorganisms, resulting in their death.
To achieve a lasting therapeutic effect, it is important to use antimycotics taken orally according to the frequency and dosage specified in the specialist’s prescriptions. Skipping medications reduces the effectiveness of treatment, as the concentration of active ingredients in the mycosis site decreases. If this happens, you must take the forgotten pill as quickly as possible, but under no circumstances double its dosage. Gross violations in compliance with the treatment regimen often lead to the development of microflora resistance to medications and relapse of the pathological process.
What you need to know
The doctor prescribes tablets when other forms of medications (ointments, sprays, creams) are powerless. At the first stage, an examination is carried out, based on the results of which tablets are selected. Before prescribing a particular drug, the doctor must take into account a number of contraindications and individual characteristics of the person:
- allergies to foods, certain substances, dyes;
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- the presence of concomitant and chronic diseases;
- use of certain drugs to stabilize health;
- alcohol addiction. Mixing most antifungal drugs with alcohol is strictly prohibited.
“Mikozolon”
A combined potent remedy for skin fungus, consisting of an antimycotic component - miconazole and the synthetic hormone mazipredone hydrochloride. This combination makes it possible to treat mycosis complicated by the penetration of bacteria into the source of infection.
“Mikozolon” is endowed with powerful anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antifungal and antimicrobial effects. Eliminates characteristic symptoms in the form of redness, severe itching , peeling of the epidermis in the area of the inflammatory process after 2-3 applications, precisely thanks to the prednisolone derivative.
It is used for the treatment of mycoses of various localizations (body, ears, genitals, lower and upper extremities) caused by dermatophytes, yeast fungi, and gram-positive microorganisms. The course of treatment ranges from 2 to 5 weeks.
"Levorin"
One of the few antibiotics of the polyene group, produced as an ointment for skin diseases.
Candidiasis is characterized by the greatest sensitivity to Levorin; in relation to them, it has a fungistatic effect, inhibiting the development and reproduction of fungal spores. Can be used to treat the skin and their appendages in adults and children over 2 years of age.
Approved for use on the mucous membranes of the genital organs with diagnosed thrush in men and women for 7-14 days. In the case of other localizations of candidiasis, the course should be increased to 3-4 weeks.
Contraindicated during pregnancy and if there is a history of gastrointestinal pathologies (ulcers, pancreatitis), functional disorders of the liver, hypersensitivity to levorine and other components of the composition.
Homemade ointment recipes for skin fungus
Sometimes cream or ointment for fungus can be replaced with compounds from traditional medicine. This is especially true during pregnancy and lactation. Some of the self-prepared ointments can successfully compete with pharmacological analogues.
- Blue ointment is prepared on the basis of copper sulfate, tar and sulfur. The vitriol is calcined in a frying pan and mixed with other elements in equal proportions until a homogeneous consistency. Recommended 2 times daily use.
- You can treat fungus using vinegar ointment. The composition may include table vinegar, vodka and egg white. All components are mixed in a ratio of 2:2:3 until smooth. Then infuse for about an hour in a dark place. The ointment is applied once before bedtime using a cotton pad.
- Garlic composition has a positive effect on tissue and immune restoration. For cooking, take 2 tbsp. l. butter and garlic cloves in the same volume. The garlic is crushed and mixed with oil until smooth. The mixture is used once a day, before bedtime.
- Onion gruel. The onion head is crushed to a mushy state or the juice is squeezed out. A cotton pad is moistened with the prepared composition and applied to the affected area. Such lotions are done twice a day, for 15–20 minutes.
- Ointment made from spruce needles and butter. Take 300 gr. pine needles and a stick of butter. The components are placed in a liter jar in layers, alternating pine needles and oil. Cover the container with foil and place in the oven at a minimum temperature to simmer for about 6 hours. The cooled ointment is applied once a day for a month.
Despite the natural composition, before using such ointments, consultation with a specialist is also advisable. Some natural components can provoke allergies and cause burns on the skin.
Price
No one can be immune from fungal diseases, because pathogens live on the surface of every person’s body. When favorable conditions are created, they begin to show activity, as a result of which mycosis is diagnosed. You can purchase effective medicine for this disease at the pharmacy. When planning to buy a drug in an online store, you need to look through the catalog of ointments and creams, then order the product, taking into account the severity of the disease and the form of infection. The cost ranges from 150-1000 rubles, and depends on the composition of the drug.
Is it possible to fight onychomycosis without pills?
In most cases this is not feasible. The fact is that visible signs of nail damage appear at advanced stages of the disease; in this case, the lack of a systematic approach will lead to long-term local treatment with minimal external improvements to the problem.
Therefore, if the disease no longer corresponds to the initial stage, the affected area is extensive and the pathological process develops quickly - it is necessary to use systemic antimycotics to successfully get rid of the disease.
