1. An Equal Opportunity Offender
Fungal infections strike just about any area of the body, but occur most commonly on the vagina, groin, feet or nails. You can usually treat mild to moderate symptoms with topical creams. The generic names of the most popular creams are tioconazole, econazole and clotrimazole. It's best to examine which areas, how severe the condition and whether they're recurring before choosing a topical anti-fungal medication.
2. For the Ladies
Lotrimin contains clotrimazole and treats Candida (the yeast infection, not the song) in both prescription and over the counter creams. You should apply it in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. In vaginal yeast infection, you must insert the cream into the vagina with a plastic applicator before you go to bed and follow your doctor's instructions even if the infection subsides. If you cease treatment prematurely, the infection will return. One-day tioconazole ointments are also available for vaginal yeast infections under the names Monistat 1 and Vagistat-1.
3. For the Gentlemen
Topical creams like Lotrim® AF Jock Itch Cream and Micatin® are used by athletes and others suffering from jock itch. Although these topical creams contain different fungus fighting ingredients, you apply both the same way. For bad cases, you may need Econazole, a prescription cream sold under the brand name Spectazole®, once in the morning and once at night on the affected area.
4. For Your Feet
Many of the topical creams used for jock itch can also cure athlete's foot. Prescription strength Spectazole® works well for severe cases of this infection. Lamisil-AT, an over the counter cream has cured certain cases of athlete's foot in a week. Desenex and other OTC creams like Tinactin take longer. It's important to apply the creams consistently on clean, dry skin. Avoid situations that caused the athlete's foot in the first place, like wearing damp socks or walking on wet tile floors. You must use oral medication if your athlete's foot appears on the top of your foot or on the soles.
5. Treating Ringworm
Ringworm can appear on any part of the body and manifests as a red, sometimes itchy, patch shaped like a ring on the infected areas. You can get ringworm by touching the skin of an infected person or pet or by wearing or touching clothing or items used by an infected person. This condition commonly spreads in schools, health clubs, gyms and other places where people share equipment. Treat ringworm of the nails with a number of anti fungal creams like Tineacide Antifungal Cream for 4 weeks and wear well-ventilated shoes. If you have ringworm on your arms, legs or torso, treat it with any cream containing Miconazole Clotrimazole or the faster-acting Terbinafine. Hydrocortisone-based over the counter preparations like Cortisol cure most cases of ringworm. For more severe infections, consult your doctor for an oral anti fungal medication. By the way, ringworm isn't caused by worms.
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