For local treatment of fungus, pharmaceuticals produce a wide range of antifungal creams, ointments, powders, lotions, as well as solutions, sucking tablets and other products.
In cases where the infection affects the skin, mucous membranes or the cornea, topical treatment is a virtually no alternative way to fight fungi. The most common diseases caused by fungi are candidiasis, fungal keratitis, pityriasis versicolor and various dermatophytosis.
When an infection affects the skin, it is better to use antifungal drugs in the form of lotions and creams, rather than ointments, for treatment.
It makes sense to use powders in those places where excess moisture is formed, between the fingers, in the inguinal folds, in the axillary areas.
Thus, if it is necessary to choose an antifungal drug for the treatment of local lesions, you should choose one that, in addition to affordable cost, has the necessary dosage form.
If the patient has dermatophytosis on the body, those drugs that are sold over the counter may well be used, and it is better to leave powerful and expensive options for more severe cases.
Now let's move on from the theory to specific drugs.
The well-known drug Nystatin, like other common antifungal drugs, effectively fights superficial candidiasis, in its action it is very similar to the drug Amphotericin B. Available in the form of cream, tablets, ointments, powders, suspensions and lozenges. With candidal stomatitis, it is recommended to use a suspension of nystatin four times a day. A cream with nystatin helps well from diaper dermatitis in children, in cases of superficial candidiasis in the areas of skin folds, a powder containing nystatin is used. It is necessary to very carefully handle the near-neck folds of infants and make sure that the powder does not in any way get into the respiratory tract.
The drug "amphotericin B" already mentioned by me is produced by pharmacological enterprises in the form of ointment, lotion and cream. Topically apply these antifungal drugs should only be in case of superficial candidiasis or candidal stomatitis.
Many azoles are available in topical forms. They cope especially well with the fungi Microsporum spp., Trichophyton spp., Candida spp., Sometimes they also help with Pityrosporum ovale. If these antifungal drugs are used correctly, the risk of complications is low, the maximum that can happen is redness or irritation of the skin.
The drug "Clotrimazole" is made in the form of a cream, lotion, lozenges, vaginal cream and vaginal tablets. All these products, except lozenges, can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription.
The drug "Miconazole" medicine refers to drugs that are allowed to be sold without a prescription. It is available in the form of lotion, powder, aerosol and vaginal cream. Lotion and powder are wonderful antifungal drugs for the feet. In case of infection with dermatophytosis of the inguinal region or with candidal vaginitis, treatment is recommended to be started with miconazole.
In addition to these two, there are also other antifungal drugs of the same group. Their names are: "Econazole", "Sulconazole", "Oxyconosole", "Ketoconazole". The spectrum of action of these drugs is similar to the two previous ones, but since they are quite expensive, it is advisable to use them only as second-line drugs.
"Ketoconazole" is the name of a shampoo intended for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor. It should be borne in mind that it is useless with dermatophytosis of the head.
Tolnaftat copes well with dermatophytes, but is useless against Candida spp., Its effectiveness against dermatophytosis of the trunk is slightly lower than that of azoles. Most drugs are sold by the pharmacy network without prescriptions.