The main remedies indicated to treat ringworm of the skin, nails, scalp, feet and groins include antifungal agents in ointments, creams, lotions and sprays, although in some cases the use of pills is necessary. There are several options, and some of the most used ones include Terbinafine, Fluconazole, Clotrimazole, Miconazole or Itraconazole, for example.
The treatment is guided by the doctor according to the type of ringworm and the severity of the lesions formed, and usually lasts about 1 to 4 weeks, however, it can last for months in cases of ringworm of the scalp or nails for example.
The most common mycoses that affect people are known as ringworm, nail ringworm, chilblains, candidiasis, white cloth and groin ringworm, for example, and all are caused by fungi that live in the environment and can cause skin lesions when they manage to dribble. the protection barriers of the organism. Learn what are the main types of ringworm of the skin and how to identify.
1. Ringworm of the skin
Mycoses of the skin, whether from the groin, candidiasis, white cloth, chilblains or blunt, which are the best known, are treated with topical antifungal agents, and some of the main options that can be indicated by doctors are:
- Naphthifine (1% cream or gel) Terbinafine (1% cream or solution) Butenafine (1% cream) Clotrimazole (1% cream, solution or lotion) Econazol (1% cream) Ketoconazole (1% cream, shampoo) Miconazole (2% cream, spray, lotion or powder) Oxiconazole (1% cream or lotion) Sulconazole (1% cream or lotion) Ciclopirox (1% cream or lotion) Tolnaftate (1% cream, solution or powder).
Treatment usually lasts 1 to 4 weeks. The medication used and the treatment time are determined by the doctor, according to the type of injury presented by each person.
It is important to pass the medicine about 3 to 4 centimeters beyond the edges of the ringworm and after application it is important to let the skin absorb the entire product so that you can get dressed or put on.
In some cases, especially when the lesions are severe or occupy a large area, it may be necessary to use the medications in tablet versions, such as Terbinafine 250mg or Fluconazole 150mg, for example. Check out more tips on how to treat ringworm.
2. Ringworm of the beard or scalp
In these cases, the use of ointments is not enough to treat correctly, so in addition to the ointments, creams or lotions used in ringworm of the skin, the doctor will also indicate the use of pills.
Some recommended tablet options include Terbinafine 250mg, Fluconazole 150mg or Itraconazole 100mg, for example, for about 90 days.
3. Nail ringworm
The treatment of ringworm of the nail is the most prolonged, and can last from 6 months to 1 year, especially in cases of ringworm of the toenail, which have a slower growth. The main form of treatment is with the use of enamels and lotions, such as the base of amorolfine, which can be applied to the affected nail 1 to 2 times a week.
For an effective treatment, especially when the nail compromise is more severe, the doctor may recommend tablets such as Fluconazole 150 mg or Itraconazole 100 mg for 6 months to 1 year, depending on the severity of the injury or response to treatment.
Another more comfortable option is laser treatment, called photodynamic therapy, performed in weekly sessions for 1 to 3 months, capable of eliminating the fungus and promoting nail growth. Learn more about treatment for ringworm of the nail.
Home treatment
The use of home remedies can be useful to complement the clinical treatment of ringworm, but these home remedies should not be used exclusively to treat any type of ringworm. Check out some homemade recipes on home treatment for ringworm.
In addition, some habits are recommended that can help fight ringworm and facilitate recovery, such as:
- Keep the region clean and dry; Avoid staying in wet or damp clothes or shoes; Do not share clothing or shoes; Avoid walking barefoot in public places, especially those with higher humidity, such as saunas and bathrooms.
In addition, it is necessary to observe whether the animals in the house have lesions suggestive of ringworm, as it is possible that they are transmitting fungi, which will cause new infections in the future.
