SKIN INFECTIONS: TREATMENT OF TINEA

The treatment of these fungal infections is basically similar. Initially local applications should be tried, as they are usually adequate for most cases except for infections of the scalp and nails. Traditional preparations such as Whitfield’s ointment or Castellanis paint still have their place, although they are somewhat messy. More recently, tolnaftate cream or lotion has been used, and either clotrimazole or miconazole creams. These are all most effective. Preparations containing nystatin, and amphotericin-B are active against yeast infections such as Candida, but not tinea.

Oral therapy must be resorted to for the treatment of hair and nails, and for many people with chronic tinea elsewhere. The drug used is Griseofulvin, which is specific for tinea, although poorly absorbed by mouth. Six weeks of treatment is usually sufficient for most infections, but tinea of the nails requires continuous treatment until the nail has grown out normally. This may take from six months to two years.

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