What is an antifungal cream, and how does it work?

One of the most widely used and easily accessible solutions for fungal infections is antifungal creams. But what exactly is an antifungal cream? The article provides essential information on antifungal creams, their mechanisms of action, and their role in treating skin fungal infections.   

Antifungals medications

Fungi exist worldwide in all environments and can cause fungal infections. Fungal infections are a growing concern in healthcare. Fungal infections impact millions of people every year. Topical antifungal creams are crucial for treating superficial fungal infections, as they offer targeted care, while systemic antifungal formulations are often required for severe or systemic infections.

Antifungal medications are categorised into medicated, herbal, and polyherbal formulations. These medications are frequently used in clinical practices due to their proven effectiveness against a wide range of fungal infections. However, more people are looking forward to the alternative approach due to concerns about antifungal side effects and resistance.

Antifungals: Herbal & Polyherbals

The category of herbal antifungals offers a natural alternative to prescription medicines, as it is formulated from plant-based ingredients with established antibacterial properties. These formulations frequently include plant extracts with antifungal properties, such as neem, tea tree, or garlic. Some patients believe herbal creams are safer and more sustainable, although further research is needed to assess their effectiveness and safety. Some herbal components are used to make polyherbal preparations to increase the effectiveness through synergistic interactions. By leveraging the synergistic benefits of various plant substances, polyherbal creams made with just one ingredient aim to deliver better treatment outcomes. For moderate-to-severe conditions, your healthcare specialist may prescribe an antifungal cream to help eliminate the infection. Let’s explore the information on prescription-based antifungals.

What is a prescription antifungal cream?

An antifungal cream is a topical medicine specifically formulated to treat a wide range of fungal infections that affect the skin, nails, or mucous membranes. These are formulated with active antifungal agents that stop or destroy the fungi responsible for the infection. These over-the-counter solutions are available for mild infections, while prescription medications are used to manage more severe or persistent cases. The most common active ingredients used in antifungal medicines are clotrimazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, naftifine, terbinafine, amorolfine, tolnaftate, and econazole. The active ingredients have different modes of action but share the same goal: controlling and eliminating fungal infections.

Fungal infections treated with antifungal creams

Antifungal creams are discovered to target various superficial fungal infections, including:

• Ringworm (Tinea corporis)
• Athlete’s foot (Tinea pedis)
• Jock itch (Tinea cruris)
• Thrush and oesophageal candidiasis (infection of the mouth, throat or oesophagus)
• Onchomycosis, a fungal nail infection
• Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)
• Yeast infection (cutaneous candidiasis)
• Pityrisasis versicolor

These infections progress in warm, moist environments, such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and sweaty areas where skin folds. 

How does antifungal cream work?

Antifungal creams can kill a fungus or stop it from growing and multiplying inside the body. There are several classes of prescription antifungal medications. Your healthcare specialist will prescribe the best medicines for your condition. For a mild fungal infection, they may advise you to use an over-the-counter formulation. Options are:

• Azoles include clotrimazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and diltiazem. It is a human-made antifungal that keeps fungi from growing.
• Echinocandins – Some examples include micafungin, caspofungin, and anidulafungin. These are newer semi-synthetic antifungal medications that damage the fungal cell wall.
• Polyenes – These, like nystatin or amphotericin B, are naturally occurring antifungal drugs that destroy the fungal wall.  
• Ciclopirox – They stop the fungus from growing.

How long have antifungals been used?

Treatment length usually varies depending on the fungal infection. Some fungal infections, such as ringworm, can be eliminated within a few weeks. But it can take several months or even years to clear up certain nail fungal infections.     

Who shouldn’t use antifungal creams?

Breastfeeding infants with an oral yeast infection called thrush can receive antifungal mouth drops. Their mothers also require treatment with an antifungal cream suitable for their condition. Your healthcare specialist can determine whether it is fine for you or your child to take an oral antifungal. 

Final summary

Antifungal creams treat fungal infections that affect the skin, nails, vagina, or scalp. Medicated, herbal, or polyherbal products offer a variety of therapeutic options. The safety and effectiveness of these medications are guaranteed through assessment and testing. Some fungal infections clear up in a few weeks, while other requires treatment for months and even years. Using antifungals for an extended period or failing to complete the prescribed treatment may give rise to fungal resistance.