Fungal infections may affect the scalp, the nails, as well as the skin. There are several fungal infections that may affect humans including yeast infections, Athlete’s foot, the Jock itch, ringworms or scalp and nail infections. The treatment of these infections will vary. Typically, antifungal drugs or ointments containing Itraconazole or Ketoconazole will be effective; oral antibiotics may also be recommended.
Athlete’s Foot Infection Treatment
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that may be treated with topical ointments that contain fungicides. These creams should be applied twice per day for at least 4 weeks. Even if the infection seems to be healed, you should continue the application of the ointment to ensure the fungi are gone.
If there are secondary infections, these require corticosteroid creams. If the infection involves nails or you don’t respond well to topical treatment, you will require oral medication as well.
Yeast Infection Treatment
The yeast cells are normally present on the skin, but these may overgrow causing the fungal infection. The fungal infection requires topical medication or oral fungicides such as Itraconazole or antibiotics. The treatment should last at least 10 days.
Jock Itch Treatment
The Jock itch, also known as groin infection, requires an antifungal ointment as treatment. The affected skin should be treated with topical ointment twice per day and the cream should be applied 2 weeks after the itching is gone.
Oral antifungal medications may be recommended if the infection is severe.
Ringworm Treatment
The ringworm is a fungal infection that should be treated with a topical antifungal cream. The infection causes itchiness and rashes; the topical ointment should be applied for at least 2 weeks after the rashes are gone.
The infection may be transmitted from pets, so you may also consult a veterinarian.
Nail Infection Treatment
The nail infections may often cause secondary bacterial infections. The nail infection treatment should be made up of topical antifungal creams mixed with oral antibiotics or Terbinafine and Itraconazole. You should also make sure that the nails stay away from water as much as possible.
The topical treatment may result in the loss of the nail, but a new nail should grow back. The treatment of nail fungal infections is lengthy and may take up to 6 weeks for nails and 3 months for the toenails. For this reason, the oral drugs should be carefully chosen, so that there won’t be severe complications. Antibiotics may not be effective; Itraconazole is most often considered for nail fungal infections, as it causes fewer side effects than other fungicides.
Scalp Infection Treatment
A scalp fungal infection may be treated with special formulated shampoos that contain Itraconazole or Ketoconazole. Oral medication such as Griseofulvin or Terbinafine may also be prescribed. The treatment may be long (up to 10 weeks). Griseofulvin shouldn’t be used in children under 12 or in pregnant women.
Fungal infections are contagious, so you should protect the people around you by staying away from them and instructing them to wash their hands more often.
