WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR SKIN FUNGUS?

* Be aware that the recommended treatments of illnesses are always being improved. This website was last update on 11/1/2024. The best treatment option MIGHT have changed since that time.

General Treatment for most fungi:

1. Terbinafine 1%* {OTC} (Lamisil) cream 2 x/ day at least 7 to 10 days after lesions disappear, typically at about 2 to 3 weeks.
2. Naftifine 1% gel * (Naftin)
3. Butenafine 1% * (Lotrimin Ultra)4. miconazole 2% *
5. clotrimazole 1% * Lotrimin
6. econazole 1% *
7. ketoconazole 2% *
8. luliconazole 1% *
9. tonaftate 1%*
10. ciclopriox topical 0.77% *

Shampoo:
1. Selenium Sulfide Shampoo 2.5% {OTC} (Selsun Blue) applied to the skin (in 10-minute applications daily for 1 week or 24-hour applications weekly for 1 month);7. Zinc Pyrithione Soap 2% OTC (can be bought on Amazon)
OR
2. Sulfur-Salicylic Shampoo 2% OTC (can be bought on Amazon); applied to the skin for 1 to 2 weeks.

Oral Medications:
1. terbinafine *
2. itraconazole *
3. griseofulvin microsize *
9. Fluconazole {RX} (Diflucan) 150 mg/week orally for 2 to 4 weeks is indicated for patients with extensive disease and those with frequent recurrences.

CAUTION:

1. Tinea Ungulum may resemble Psoriasis or Lichen Planus (both autoimmune disorders). A clipping of the nail can be sent to the lab for a PCR test to positively identify Tinea Ungulum. However, even if Tinea Unglum is identified, it is difficult to treat, and once treated it may return.

2. Tinea Capitus (Scalp Ringworm) should be not be confused with “Cradle Cap” that occurs in many babies. Cradle Cap is caused by a non-infectious type of fungus, possibly Malassezia Furfur.

3. Vitiligo often times looks very similar to Tinea Versicolor. However, the treatment of Vitiligo (an autoimmune disorder) is completely different than Tinea Versicolor.

4. Fluconazole (Diflucan) has a possible side effect of prolonging a particular part of the electrical signal to the heart, called the Q-T segment. This prolonged Q-T segment can, in some rare circumstances, cause ventricular fibrillation of the heart, basically a heart attack, and death.

5. All medication, including all antifungal medications, have a risk of side effects.

6. When trying a new cream or lotion, always use it on a small area of skin to determine if it has unwanted side effects.

7. Possible mild side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and light skin rash.

8. Possible severe side effects are a severe rash or an anaphylactic allergic reaction (leading to the inability to breathe and subsequent death if not treated rapidly).

Consult “Epocrates.com” for each Specific Medication’s possible “Adverse Reactions.” Side effects are also referred to as “Adverse Reactions.” Epocrates.com will tell you both “common reactions” and “serious reactions.” You will have to create an account, but it is simple, fast, and free.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SKIN FUNGUS?

Tinea Captious (also called Scalp Ringworm) usually appears as itchy, scaly, bald patches on the head.

Tinea Crurix (also called Jock Rash” usually appears as a a red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body. The rash often affects the groin and inner thighs.

Tinea Corporis (also called Tinea Versicolor) usually appears as one or two red rings with a clear central area. The rings red and raised. It typically appears on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs, and It is also itchy.

Tinea Pedis (also called Athlete’s Foot) usually appears as red peeling or scaling skin between the toes or on the sides of the feet. It can also appear as dry skin on the soles or side of the feet. It will often cause the feeling of either itching, stinging, or burning.

Tinea Ungulum (also called Onychomycosis) appears as
A thick discolored toenail or fingernail that is lifting away from the nail bed. Usually either the 3rd and 5th nails, or the 1st and 5th nails are involved.

Tinea Versicolor (also called Tinea Corporis) usually appears as one or two red rings with a clear central area. The rings red and raised. It typically appears on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs, and It is also itchy.

WHAT CAUSES SKIN FUNGUS?

There are about 40 types of fungi that can infect the human skin.

However, the vast majority of ringworm (or Tinea Corporis) infections are caused by three specific fungi.[2] They are typically of the Trichophyton, Microsporum, or Epidermophyton type. Trichophyton Rubrum is the leading of cause of skin infection. Microsporum is another leading cause.

Tinea Pedis (also called Athelete’s Foot) is an infection of the feet affecting soles, interdigital clefts of toes, and nails with a dermatophyte fungus. The infection is caused by the dermatophyte, Trichophyton Rubrum.

Tinea Corporis (also called Ringworm) is predominantly caused by dermatophyte fungi of the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum. The Anthropophilic species T. Rubrum is the most common causative fungus.

Tinea Ungulum (also called Onychomycosis) is also caused by Trichophytton Rubrum fungus. If there is doubt of the diagnosis, a scraping can be taken of the effected skin, a little Potassium Hydroxide can be mixed with a little skin, and examined under the microscope for a particular type of cells, which if present means the person has a fungus growth.

HOW IS SKIN FUNGUS DIAGNOSED?

All of these skin fungi can be diagnosed by a careful history and visual inspection.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR SKIN FUNGUS?

* Be aware that the recommended treatments of illnesses are always being improved. This website was last update on 11/1/2024. The best treatment option MIGHT have changed since that time.

General Treatment for most fungi:

Oral Medications: 1. terbinafine * 2. itraconazole * 3. griseofulvin microsize * 9. Fluconazole {RX} (Diflucan) 150 mg/week orally for 2 to 4 weeks is indicated for patients with extensive disease and those with frequent recurrences.

1. Tinea Ungulum may resemble Psoriasis or Lichen Planus (both autoimmune disorders). A clipping of the nail can be sent to the lab for a PCR test to positively identify Tinea Ungulum. However, even if Tinea Unglum is identified, it is difficult to treat, and once treated it may return.

2. Tinea Capitus (Scalp Ringworm) should be not be confused with “Cradle Cap” that occurs in many babies. Cradle Cap is caused by a non-infectious type of fungus, possibly Malassezia Furfur.

3. Vitiligo often times looks very similar to Tinea Versicolor. However, the treatment of Vitiligo (an autoimmune disorder) is completely different than Tinea Versicolor.

4. Fluconazole (Diflucan) has a possible side effect of prolonging a particular part of the electrical signal to the heart, called the Q-T segment. This prolonged Q-T segment can, in some rare circumstances, cause ventricular fibrillation of the heart, basically a heart attack, and death.

5. All medication, including all antifungal medications, have a risk of side effects.

6. When trying a new cream or lotion, always use it on a small area of skin to determine if it has unwanted side effects.

7. Possible mild side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and light skin rash.

8. Possible severe side effects are a severe rash or an anaphylactic allergic reaction (leading to the inability to breathe and subsequent death if not treated rapidly).

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SKIN FUNGUS?

Tinea Captious (also called Scalp Ringworm) usually appears as itchy, scaly, bald patches on the head.

Tinea Crurix (also called Jock Rash” usually appears as a a red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body. The rash often affects the groin and inner thighs.

Tinea Ungulum (also called Onychomycosis) appears as A thick discolored toenail or fingernail that is lifting away from the nail bed. Usually either the 3rd and 5th nails, or the 1st and 5th nails are involved.

Tinea Versicolor (also called Tinea Corporis) usually appears as one or two red rings with a clear central area. The rings red and raised. It typically appears on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs, and It is also itchy.

WHAT CAUSES SKIN FUNGUS?

There are about 40 types of fungi that can infect the human skin.

However, the vast majority of ringworm (or Tinea Corporis) infections are caused by three specific fungi.[2] They are typically of the Trichophyton, Microsporum, or Epidermophyton type. Trichophyton Rubrum is the leading of cause of skin infection. Microsporum is another leading cause.

Tinea Pedis (also called Athelete’s Foot) is an infection of the feet affecting soles, interdigital clefts of toes, and nails with a dermatophyte fungus. The infection is caused by the dermatophyte, Trichophyton Rubrum.

Tinea Corporis (also called Ringworm) is predominantly caused by dermatophyte fungi of the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum. The Anthropophilic species T. Rubrum is the most common causative fungus.

HOW IS SKIN FUNGUS DIAGNOSED?

All of these skin fungi can be diagnosed by a careful history and visual inspection.

Oral Medications:
1. terbinafine *
2. itraconazole *
3. griseofulvin microsize *
9. Fluconazole {RX} (Diflucan) 150 mg/week orally for 2 to 4 weeks is indicated for patients with extensive disease and those with frequent recurrences.

Tinea Ungulum (also called Onychomycosis) appears as
A thick discolored toenail or fingernail that is lifting away from the nail bed. Usually either the 3rd and 5th nails, or the 1st and 5th nails are involved.