Effective treatment of foot fungus with ointments

Fungal leg lesions, the most common of which are foot mycosis and onychomycosis of the nails, are some of the most unpleasant but very common diseases. Fungus easily finds a new owner, but getting rid of an unwanted guest can be very difficult. And if in the early stages of the disease often enough long-term use of local antifungal agents, namely: emulsions, sprays, varnishes, creams, including foot and nail fungi ointment, the launched process requires an integrated approach in which the local treatment of the disease is combined with taking the medication inwards .

[1], [2], [3],

Local treatment of foot fungus

Curing fungal diseases of the skin without directly affecting the skin itself from the outside is almost impossible. That is why the most common form of release of drugs from the foot fungus are ointments that are intended for external use.

Indications for the use of ointments from foot fungus: fungal diseases of the skin of feet and nails at an early stage, as part of the complex therapy of progressive fungal infection, prevention of fungal skin diseases. Forms of antifungal agents in the form of creams and ointments act only in different layers of the skin, almost not absorbed into the blood. So, the contraindications to their use are associated mainly with hypersensitivity to the drug, which manifests itself in the form of such side effects of ointments from the foot fungus, as itching, redness, dryness and noticeable skin peeling in the areas of ointment application.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of ointments used in the treatment of foot fungus depends on the composition of the preparation. All ointments from a fungal infection are known for a more or less destructive effect on the cells of fungi, what determines the antifungal effect. As part of these drugs can be components that remove itching and irritation, which promote the healing of wounds on the skin, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

Some antifungal agents have activity against a particular type of pathogen, and others have a wide spectrum of action, which means they are effective against various varieties of fungal parasites.

The way of application and the dose of ointments from the foot fungus may also differ. Nevertheless, there are some nuances of their use, relevant for all antifungal ointments. This concerns the preparation of the skin for applying ointment and preventing the spread of fungal infection.

It is advisable to apply ointment from the foot fungus only after cleansing the skin of the lower part of the legs. For this, ordinary warm water and soap are used. The feet are thoroughly washed and wiped dry with a clean towel, which is used only during the illness and is washed after each use. The latter requirement will prevent the spread of the infection to other areas of the skin.

Just as the treatment of fungal nail injury requires maximum cutting of the nail plate before applying the varnish or ointment, and foot foot therapy is effective in removing the "dead" keratinized skin, previously softened by the action of warm water. To do this, you can use a hard sponge, pumice or a special brush.

Apply a thin layer of the cream, this treatment is not only affected area, but also the skin around it at a distance of not less than 10 mm. If such a zone is not one, then all the affected areas should be treated simultaneously, including the fungus on the nails.

Treatment of the foot fungus provides for the necessary hygiene measures, such as cleanliness and dryness of the skin of the legs, frequent changes of socks and bed linens with which the affected areas of the skin come into contact, treatment of shoes with special antifungal sprays and solutions. For disinfection and removal of unpleasant odor of footwear sometimes inexpensive, but effective veterinary preparation "Biopyrox", produced in the form of a spray is used.

Ointments from the foot fungus, which do not give a positive effect within 2 weeks, must be replaced with other, more effective, or used in combination with tablets or other ointments. Diagnosis and treatment of any fungal diseases should be conducted with the participation and under the supervision of a specialist doctor, otherwise you can only harm yourself by incompetent actions by causing the spread of the infection to other parts of the body.

Names and application of ointments from foot fungus

For the treatment of fungal skin lesions, the pharmaceutical industry produces 3 main types of antimycotic drugs with various active ingredients:

• Ointments based on azole derivatives: miconazole, clotrimazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, isoconazole, econazole, effective against some species of fungi.
• Ointments based on allylamines: terbinafine and naphthyfine, which have a broader spectrum of action.
• Combined drugs with the addition of antibacterial components, anti-inflammatory (corticosteroids) and restoring the skin (keratolytic) components.

Consider the most popular and no less effective ointment from foot fungus from those that doctors prescribe for various types of fungal foot injuries.

Known for many of its antifungal properties, the drug "Clotrimazole" in the form of a cream is often used to treat foot fungus. This is a relatively inexpensive and safe ointment from foot fungus, because it does not adversely affect the body, since it acts only in the skin, not getting into the bloodstream.

Treatment of clotrimazole in the foot fungus usually lasts for 6 or more weeks with 2-3 times a day during the day (daily).

It is not recommended to use the ointment "Clotrimazole" concomitantly with the preparations of nystatin, natamycin, amphotericin B, because they are able to reduce the effectiveness of clotrimazole.

Side effects of the drug are very rare. This can be an allergic reaction accompanied by redness and itching, as well as a slight tingling and flaking in the areas of application of the ointment.

Store the ointment in a place protected from light, and the temperature of the air in the place of storage should not exceed 20 degrees. Shelf life with proper storage is 2 years.

"Candide" is a drug based on clotrimazole, belonging to the first group of ointments from the fungus. The active substance - clotrimazole - has a destructive effect on the cells of the fungus, while it quickly penetrates into various layers of the skin, having a therapeutic effect there.

The use of the cream twice or thrice a day allows you to remove the symptoms of a fungal skin disease within 2-3 weeks, however, this therapy should not end, because there is a high probability of recurrence of symptoms. Therefore, treatment is worth continuing for another 2-3 weeks to prevent relapse.

Overdose of the drug with external application is not observed. But there may be minor side effects in the form of irritation on the skin at the beginning of the drug. Usually, such irritation does not require withdrawal of the drug and goes by itself.

Interaction with other drugs. Candide is not recommended for use with drugs containing nystatin, since the latter reduces the effect of the ointment.

Ointment "Candide" is undesirable to apply to the damaged skin, as it can cause additional irritation.

Shelf life of "Candide" ointment is 2 years, provided it is properly stored. Those. The drug should be stored in a dark place with a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees.

"Candide B" is a drug with a combined composition, belonging to the third group of antifungal agents. The main active substance is clotrimazole, supplemented with beclomethasone.

Pharmacodynamics. Clotrimazole provides the antifungal action of the ointment, disrupting the synthesis of the fungal components necessary for the cells, which makes the fungus incompetent. The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is associated with beclomethasone, which also removes the itching accompanying fungal lesions of the feet.

Method of administration and dose. Ointment "Candide B" is applied to the skin at the site of the fungus lesion at least 2-3 times a day, as the previous preparation. But unlike him, skin disorders are not contraindications to the use of Candide B. The drug is not intended for long-term treatment of large areas of skin affected by fungus.

You can store this drug for 3 years from the date of release at a temperature below 25 degrees.

The use of ointments from the foot fungus "Clotrimazole", "Candide" and "Candide B" during pregnancy and lactation is possible only according to the doctor's testimony due to insufficient knowledge of their influence on the development of the child.

"Fucis" in the form of a gel is also effective in mycosis of feet, it belongs to the 1 st group of antifungal drugs. The main active substance of the drug is fluconazole.

Pharmacodynamics. Fluconazole in the composition of the drug is a powerful antifungal agent that contributes to the destruction of the cell structure of the fungus.

Pharmacokinetics. Ointment is well absorbed into the skin and does not cause disturbances in the body. Reactions intolerance to the drug are very rare. A small part of the drug may enter the bloodstream when applied externally, but it is not capable of harming a person.

To obtain the necessary therapeutic effect, it is enough to apply a small amount of ointment to the affected skin 1 time per day, capturing the adjacent healthy skin areas. Then gently massage the gel into the skin. The course of treatment depends on the localization of the process and the type of pathogen.

If the use of fluconazole causes irritation on the skin, then the drug is better to change to another. It is undesirable to use other local preparations together with Fucis.

Cream "Lamisil" - quite popular and effective ointment from the foot fungus. The drug belongs to the second group of antifungal agents, since its active ingredient is terbinafine.

Pharmacodynamics. The drug not only interferes with the synthesis of building materials of the fungal cell, but also saturates fungi with toxic substances leading to their early death. "Lamisil" in the form of an ointment is effective in foot mycoses, but in the case of a nail fungus it does not have sufficient effect.

Apply ointment should be 2 times a day. This will make it possible to get rid of the foot fungus within 3-6 weeks. Rapid removal of symptoms of fungal infection with cream "Lamizil" is its advantage, but not a signal to stop the "military" actions against the fungus. Even if you observe the complete disappearance of all the symptoms of the disease in the first days and weeks of drug treatment, do not interrupt treatment for at least 2 more weeks.

Method of administration and dose. The ointment is applied to a clean and dry surface of the foot and the interdigital space with a small amount, gently rubbing into the skin. Use 1 or 2 times a day. The course of treatment is short enough - 1-2 weeks, but in order to avoid relapses, the use of ointment once a day should be continued for another couple of weeks.

With external application, an overdose of the drug is not observed. Among the side effects, there is sometimes a slight reddening and burning or itching at the site of the ointment application.

The drug has a sufficiently long shelf life of 5 years, and does not require special storage conditions, perfectly transferring the temperature of the surrounding space to 30 degrees.

A cheaper analogue of "Lamizil" is a drug whose name immediately indicates the active substance. In principle, for all positions, the action and method of applying Terbinafine cream coincides with the instructions for Lamizil. The difference is only the expiration date (2 years) and storage conditions (t not higher than 25 ^о С).

Ointments "Myconorm" and "Termicon" in all respects repeat "Terbinafine", but at a price stand between "Terbinafine" and "Lamizil".

Another inexpensive pleasure is another popular antifungal drug "Exoderil", which in the form of ointment is successfully used for the treatment of foot fungus. This is a drug from the second group of antimycotic agents based on naphthyfine.

Pharmacodynamics. The drug has a pronounced fungicidal, fungistatic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. He not only kills the fungus, but also prevents the emergence of secondary bacterial infections. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory effect, the ointment quickly removes swelling and itching at the site of the fungus justification.

Pharmacokinetics. Naphthyfine has a good penetrating ability, so it successfully works in different layers of the skin. Only about 6% of the substance enters the bloodstream, which can not harm the patient's health.

Method of administration and dose. Ointment is used no more than 1 time per day. The course of treatment can be from 2 to 8 weeks. If the fungus affects not only the skin, but also the nails, treatment can be delayed for up to six months.

Ointment from the fungus "Exoderil" is intended for the treatment of adult patients, the possibility of treating children with it is considered by the doctor individually.

"Exoderil" has a fairly long shelf life (3 years) and is unsuited to storage conditions (withstands temperatures from 0 to 30 ^о С).

A full analogue of "Exoderil" is the ointment "Naftifin" with an even longer shelf life (5 years).

Not cheap, but effective remedies for foot fungus, are the popular drugs "Nizoral" on the basis of ketoconazole and "Batrafen" with the active substance cyclopyrox. For the treatment of fungal lesions of feet use these drugs in the form of ointments and creams. At the same time, "Batrafen" has excellent penetrating ability and excellent fungicidal action against most fungi, and "Nizoral" - rapid removal of unpleasant symptoms of fungal infection, in particular itching and odor.

Apply data ointment from the foot fungus, usually 1 or 2 times a day. The course of treatment is very rarely more than 4 weeks.

"Batrafen" is designed to treat patients older than 10 years, "Nizoral" is used to treat small patients.

Shelf life of "Batrafen" ointment is 2 years if stored in a room with an air temperature of no higher than 25 degrees.

Ointment "Nizoral" is more sensitive to temperatures, therefore the range of permissible temperatures varies from 15 to 30 ^o C. If these conditions are met, the shelf life of the drug is 5 years.

Analogues of the cream "Nizoral" can be called ointments "Dermazol", "Mikozoral" and "Miconazole" with the same active substance (ketoconazole), applying which at least 2 times a day, you can achieve a cure for foot fungus in 2-6 weeks .

Inexpensive little-known ointment from foot fungus

Above we considered the most popular antifungal agents, and now we pay attention to the less common, but no less effective ointments from the foot fungus, which will please the buyer and the price and the result obtained from their application.

Cream "Ecodax" - an antifungal drug based on econazole. This drug is from 1 group of antifungal drugs with an average price.

Pharmacodynamics. Econazole has a wide spectrum of activity against various fungi and shows a noticeable bactericidal effect. Destroys even those fungi that show resistance to other drugs. At the same time, econazole is famous for an enviable speed and destroys a fungal infection with unpleasant symptoms accompanying the life of the fungus in the first three days.

Pharmacokinetics. The active substance can easily penetrate both into different layers of the skin and into the nail plate, so the drug is successfully used for the treatment of foot mycoses and onychomycosis of the nail. With external application, almost does not enter the blood.

Contraindications for use are cases of hypersensitivity to the drug and derivatives of azoles. Ointment is also not intended for the treatment of patients younger than 18 years. Side effects are common for antifungal ointments: a feeling of dryness, peeling, slight burning, redness, sometimes itching.

Ointment is effective when used twice a day. Therapeutic course can be from 2 weeks to 6 months depending on the skin condition.

Storage conditions. Ointment should be stored at t not lower than 0 ^о С and not higher than 30 ^о С in the darkened place. The shelf life of the ointment under these conditions is 3 years.

"Grybkocept 911" is a combined, inexpensive preparation in the form of a gel, successfully helping to treat the foot fungus in the early stages of the disease. The main active ingredients - triclosan (a powerful antifungal and antimicrobial component) and allantoin (helps to soften and renew the cornified skin).

Pharmacodynamics. The drug actively fights and fungal infection, preventing the repeated development of the disease. It is an excellent preventive against fungal infection. Inactive in the case of onychomycosis of the nails.

Method of administration and dose. The use of this ointment from foot fungus and hands with a therapeutic purpose means applying the ointment with light massage movements on the affected skin with a small layer 2 times a day. The course of therapy usually lasts from 4 to 6 weeks. For preventive purposes, it is enough to use the ointment once a week. The drug has no side effects, so to prevent infection with the fungus it can be used every time you visit the sauna, swimming pool, sauna and other "green" places.

The remedy is not intended for treatment of children under 2 years old. It is undesirable to use during pregnancy and lactation. It is not recommended to use ointment in case of allergic reactions.

Ointment "Fundizol" is more than an interesting antifungal agent with a combined composition that shows worthy activity against all kinds of fungi. Nem can be treated and fungal skin lesions, and onychomycosis, as well as acne and ingrown nail. The drug also helps to quickly remove the itch from insect bites and other skin irritations. Indispensable "Fundizol" and as a preventive tool that helps to avoid infection by the fungus on the beach, in the bath and other public places, where he likes to live a fungal infection.

Despite the fact that the cream "Fundizol" is not a full-fledged medicinal product (it is rather a caring agent with an antifungal and moisturizing effect), due to its effectiveness in combating the fungus, it occupies a legitimate place on the chemist's shelves.

Ointment has practically no contraindications to use, except for hypersensitivity to the substances that make up the drug. It does not harm healthy skin, so it can be used as a health and caring remedy for the skin, including the skin of the feet. This is a good prevention, both fungal diseases, and excessive sweating of the feet. "Fundizol" also effectively fights with the unpleasant odor coming from the feet, which is often caused by the same unfortunate fungal infection.

To combat the onychomycosis of nails, ointment "Fundizol" is applied 2 times a day with subsequent exposure for 5-6 hours. For the treatment and prevention of foot dermatomycosis, two to three times daily application of the product to the skin with a light massage is sufficient.

The cream is fatty enough (but it is perfectly absorbed), therefore it is desirable to apply it accurately with a subsequent distribution on the skin. Due to this property, the ointment is quite economical in terms of consumption. And the price of the product is quite pleasant.

Nonspecific means of foot fungus

Sometimes during the use of medicines, some of their properties are unexpectedly found, allowing the use of these drugs for the treatment of diseases not listed in the attached instructions. So it happened with the usual ointments:

• sulfuric (known to many as a means of depriving),
• salicylic (acne and lichen),
• Zinc (wounds, burns, intertrigo, eczema, herpes).

Sulfur ointment is an inexpensive antiseptic, used for various skin diseases (scabies, seborrhea, psoriasis, lichen). It has practically no contraindications to use, in addition to sulfur intolerance, as well as side effects, is not toxic, which makes it possible to use it for the treatment of children and pregnant women.

By the way, sulfuric ointment is also used in veterinary medicine, which once again confirms its safety for animals, and hence for humans.

It is also active against some fungi that parasitize the human body. Maybe this ointment is not as effective as the popular specialized remedy for a fungal infection, but there is no reason to deny its efficacy either. The main regularity and patience, because the remedy does not have a French flavor, besides it is hard to remove, and yellow oily traces that ointment leaves on itself on clothes and clothes, it is very difficult to wash. Those. To treat sulfuric ointment you will have to use special old clothes and bed linen, which then will not be a pity to throw.

Nevertheless, if there is no choice, then sulfur will help from early manifestations of foot fungus, if you apply sulfuric ointment daily several times a day for a week. Ointment should be applied to the affected areas of the fungal infection and easily rubbed into the skin. With onychomycosis of nails, ointment is less effective than with foot dermatomycosis, as it hardly penetrates through the nail plate.

Salicylic ointment based on salicylic acid is also an antiseptic for the treatment of skin diseases and has a noticeable antifungal effect.

To treat the foot fungus, the ointment is applied to the surface of the foot and fingers damaged by the fungus and actively rubbed into the skin. Repeat the procedure up to 3 times a day, after removing the remnants of the ointment from the previous application from the skin surface. Usually treatment with salicylic ointment lasts 1-3 weeks.

Salicylic ointment is not used for the treatment of infants of the first year of life, as well as patients with intolerance to preparations based on salicylic acid. Side effects of the ointment are usually the result of an allergic reaction of the body (itching, redness and burning sensation on the skin after applying the ointment).

Interaction with other drugs. Salicylic ointment is incompatible with resorcinol and preparations containing zinc oxide.

Even more effective in mycosis skin is sulfuric salicylic ointment, used for various skin diseases. In it, salicylic acid enhances the antifungal properties of sulfur, which has a noticeable effect in the treatment of foot fungus.

Zinc ointment is an inexpensive ointment based on zinc oxide, used for wounds and diaper rash on the skin, is also effective against the foot fungus, possessing drying and exfoliating action. She actually has no contraindications, and side effects are caused by an allergic response of the body, which happens very rarely.

The use of zinc ointment from foot fungus requires repeated application (up to 5 times during the day). You can treat her, and small children, and pregnant women, and the elderly.

There is an opinion that it is possible to get rid of foot fungus, using Vishnevsky ointment containing tar for this purpose . Nevertheless, dermatologists do not support this assertion, insisting that it is impossible to cure foot fungus with Vishnevsky ointment. It is possible to temporarily reduce the external manifestations of the disease, but after stopping treatment with ointment, the symptoms come back again.

But the ointment Wilkinson, which contains sulfur and tar, can be used as an antifungal agent, which it, however, is. In addition, the ointment has an antiseptic, antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Apply Wilkinson's ointment for the treatment of foot fungus twice a day for 1-3 weeks. In this case, you have to put up with the unpleasant smell of tar coming from the ointment.

Ointment is not used in patients with chronic renal failure. Contraindication to the use of ointment is also increased sensitivity to the components of the drug. Side effects occur extremely rarely in the form of dermatitis.

And finally, the most nonspecific ointment is the antifungal veterinary drug for the treatment of animals, "Unisan", which unexpectedly acquired a second use (already in humans) in the form of an ointment from foot and nail fungus.

In the case of foot fungus, Unisan ointment is used 1-3 times a day, applying to areas damaged by fungal infection and slightly rubbing into the skin. Usually the symptoms disappear completely after 1-1.5 weeks.

Shelf life of all listed nonspecific ointments is 2 years, if, of course, observe the storage conditions specified in the instruction: protection from direct sunlight and the ambient temperature is not higher than 20-25 ^o C.

And finally ...

It is worth recalling once again: despite the fact that local treatment provides relative safety to the patient, preventing the ingestion of significant doses of the drug into the blood, certain precautions will not be taken. This is especially true of people prone to allergic manifestations, pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children.

Since tests of antifungal drugs on pregnant women have not been conducted, the use of ointments from fungus during pregnancy and during lactation implies a certain risk for the baby. And whether this risk is justified, only the doctor can decide, well, the woman herself, expecting a child or practicing breastfeeding.

And another well-known rule: timely and correctly begun treatment is a pledge of quick and full recovery. Do not make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment to yourself. For treatment to be effective, it is necessary to identify the causative agent of a fungal disease. And for this you need medical experience, practice and certain studies, which can only be done by a specialist doctor.

Do not let the process go too far, hoping that everything will go away by itself. It will not happen. The disease will progress, and hence treatment in the future will require more serious and costly. In the case of a neglected process involving the skin and nails, one should not pin hopes on the ointment, since this situation provides for a comprehensive treatment with various forms of antifungal agents.

Whether to buy expensive popular means from a fungus, to manage cheaper their analogues or to take advantage of nonspecific preparations and alternative means to solve to you and the attending physician. But if you do not stick to personal hygiene rules, carry out procedures patiently, regularly, following the instructions to the preparations, no the best ointments from the foot fungus will help to solve the problem once and for all.

[4], [5], [6]