Antifungal shampoos for adults and children

Cosmetics with medicinal properties are called cosmeceuticals. And antifungal hair shampoos, like other shampoos with a therapeutic effect, are dermatological products.

Indications Antifungal shampoo

As the name suggests, antifungal shampoo should be used for:

• seborrhea of the scalp  - dry or oily  seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff , caused by damage to the superficial stratum corneum of the skin (corneocytes) by the fungus  Malassezic furfur  (Pityrosporum ovale);[1], [2]
• dermatomycosis or  microsporia  of the scalp - ringworm (tinea capitis), which is caused by the types of fungi Microsporum (M. Ferrugineum and M. Audouinii), Trichophyton and Epidermophyton and begins with isolated peeling of the scalp, developing into itchy scaly bald patches;
• dryness of the scalp  and its increased flaking (leading to dandruff and itching), which is not reduced by washing the head with ordinary shampoos for dry skin and hair.

Only a dermatologist can establish and laboratory confirm the presence of a fungal infection, therefore, without consulting a doctor, you should not go to the pharmacy for a medicated shampoo.

Antifungal dandruff shampoos

It should be borne in mind that therapeutic antifungal shampoos for dandruff, as well as any antifungal shampoo for seborrhea, should contain pharmacological agents against the above types of fungal infection - antimycotics with fungicidal and fungistatic properties. And this:

• the imidazole antifungal agent ketoconazole;[3]
• zinc and sulfur compound - zinc pyrithione (1-2%);[4]
• sulsen - selenium sulfide, that is, a compound of sulfur with selenium;
• Phenolic-rich birch tar (making it an effective keratolytic and antiseptic). See -  Tar dandruff shampoo .

Most often, an antifungal shampoo with ketoconazole is recommended:  Nizoral dandruff shampoo ,  Ketoconazole dandruff shampoo , Ketozoral Darnitsa, Keto plus, Mycozoral,  Dermazol plus ,  Seboderm , Sebozol.

Some manufacturers introduce the triazole fungicidal agent climbazole (at a maximum concentration of 2%) into the composition of shampoos for seborrhea and dandruff, the structure and properties of which are similar to ketoconazole. For example, these are shampoos Nizoderm, Seborin (Schwarzkopf), Climbazole anti-dandruff (Mirrola), Cosmia Climbazole 2 in1 - analogues of dandruff shampoos with ketoconazole.

Names of shampoos with zinc pyrithione for oily scalp seborrhea: Keto plus (ketoconazole + pyrithione zinc), Demoskin, Skin-cap, Sebulon, 2 Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Pyrithione Zinc, Friderm zinc, Bioblas Zink Pyrithione, etc.

And shampoos with selenium sulfide: Sulsena, Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Treatment Shampoo, Head and Shoulders intensive, Nioxin Scalp Recovery, etc.

Antifungal shampoos for children over 12 years of age are the same as for adults; for children of the first years of life, pediatricians recommend Babe Laboratorios Cradle Cap children's shampoo.

Ringworm of the scalp is treated with Clotrimazole (topically), but oral antifungal medications such as Griseofulvin or Terbinafine may also be required.

Antifungal shampoo for ringworm with clotrimazole and zinc pyrithione - Dermedic Capilarte.

Antifungal body shampoo with terbinafine - shampoo-shower gel TERBINA code.

Pharmacodynamics

The mechanism of antifungal action of these therapeutic shampoos is due to their main active ingredient.

So, ketoconazole, like all azole antimycotics, by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes produced by fungi, prevents the biosynthesis of steroids that make up their cell membranes.[5]

The pharmacodynamics of zinc pyrithione consists in suppressing the processes of membrane ion transport in fungi, and the resulting depolarization of fungal cell membranes leads to their death. In addition, zinc pyrithione normalizes the keratinization of the epithelium and the production of sebum (sebum).

The antiseborrheic properties of selenium sulfide are explained by the cytostatic effect on the cells of the epidermis and the slowing down of the growth of keratinocytes and hyperproliferative epithelial corneocytes.

In a similar way, the stratum corneum of the skin is affected by the biologically active components of the tar, which remove dandruff (flakes of the exfoliated stratum corneum), reducing the colonization of Malassezia furfur.

Dosing and administration

According to the attached instructions, a small amount of shampoo (about a tablespoon) is applied to the scalp moistened with warm water, rubbed into wet skin and aged for three to five minutes. Then the skin and hair are thoroughly washed with water.

Some shampoos are applied twice in one procedure (which is also indicated in the instructions).

Apply antifungal shampoos no more than twice a week.

Use Antifungal shampoo during pregnancy

There are no direct contraindications to the use of medicated shampoos of this category during pregnancy, but the use of shampoos with ketoconazole is not recommended.

Contraindications

The main contraindication is intolerance to the components that make up the shampoos.

Shampoos with zinc pyrithione are not used for children under one year old, and shampoos with ketoconazole - up to 12 years old.

Side effects Antifungal shampoo

Possible side effects of ketoconazole include skin irritation with rashes and itching or burning sensation.

Side effects of selenium sulfide can include scalp irritation, oily or dry hair and scalp, discoloration, and hair loss.

Overdose

Cases of overdose with these shampoos are not described, but if they are used too often, side effects appear (or intensify).

Interactions with other drugs

Shampoos containing zinc pyrithione are not used when topical corticosteroids are needed for certain dermatological conditions.

Storage conditions

Antifungal shampoos should be stored at room temperature.

Shelf life

The expiration date is indicated on the packaging, as a rule, from three years.

If you are looking for effective and cheap antifungal shampoos, first of all, pay attention to domestic products and study their composition.