For mild conditions, your doctor may advise you to apply a prescription or over-the-counter antifungal ointment, lotion, powder, or spray. Most infections respond well to these topical agents, which include:
If your fungal infection is severe or doesn’t respond to topical medications, your doctor may give you a prescription for oral medication. Oral medications include:
- Itraconazole (Sporanox)
- Fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), oral Sporanox and oral Lamisil may be linked to rare cases of liver failure and death.
Sporanox taken orally should not be recommended for individuals who have a pre-existing heart condition, as it has the potential to reduce the strength of the heart’s contractions.
Griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin), an older oral medication, is not used as common nowadays due to the availability of more advanced medicines. Treating the infection can be successful but may require several months to completely eliminate it.
For bacterial infections, your doctor may recommend taking an oral antibiotic. This type of medication is administered orally and is effective in fighting the infection.
Your doctor may suggest certain methods to speed up the healing process of blisters or soggy skin, such as applying wet dressings, steroid ointments, compresses or vinegar soaks.