Antifungal drugs - inexpensive but effective

Nail and foot fungus is a problem that many face. Discomfort, itching, smell, inability to seem barefoot in public places like a bath or a pool - all this causes significant inconvenience. Are there antifungal drugs - inexpensive, but effective, with which you can defeat the fungus without overpaying?

The most effective and affordable antifungal agents

The fungus of the legs and nails is called in the language of doctors mycosis (for the nails the term "onychomycosis" is used).

The disease can cause:

• dermatophyte fungi;
• fungi of the genus Candida;
• microsporia (e.g. ringworm);
• mold fungi.

Getting rid of onychomycosis is a long process, ranging from three months to a year. This is due to the fact that the fungus is stored in the layers of the nail and its full renewal is required. The situation with mycosis of the feet is more “favorable”, since the skin layers are more susceptible to the penetration of drugs.

Antifungal preparations for nails and legs are represented by a wide range in pharmacies, and choosing among them is inexpensive, but of high quality, is not easy.

Creams, ointments and gels for feet and nails

As external preparations for mycosis, primarily use creams, ointments and gels.

The current classification of external antifungal agents is presented:

1. Polyenes: amphotericin B, natamycin, nystatin;

2. Azoles (imidazoles):

• bifonazole (preparations "Bifonazole", "Mikospor", "Bifosin" and others);
• clotrimazole (Clotrimazole, Canesten, Canizon);
• isoconazole ("Travogen");
• sertaconazole ("Zalain");
• ketoconazole (“Ketoconazole”, “Nizoral”, “Dermazole”);
• miconazole ("Mykozolon");
• oxyconazole ("Mifungar").

3. Alkylamines:

• terbinafine ("Terbinafine", "Dermgel", "Lamisil", "Terbizil" and others);
• naphthyne ("Naphthyne", "Exoderyl").

4. Amorolfinum ("Lotseril").

5. Among the group of drugs of different chemical structures for external use, use is made of cyclopirox, Castellani paint, propylene glycol and others.

Antifungal ointments for the feet (feet) are much wider than the preparations for nail mycosis. Creams and ointments are applied, according to the instructions, on the skin of the feet and in the interdigital cavities 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment depends on the degree of foot damage by the fungus, on average, from 2 weeks to several months.

Read also: Nail Activation - instructions for use

Healing drops and sprays

Drops and sprays are a convenient form of medication for fungal infections. Their advantage is in ease of application and in accurate dosage. After applying the solution on the skin (nails), a protective film forms, which lasts 2-3 days. The active substance under the film is absorbed into the dermis, being well distributed in its layers.

The most famous and relatively affordable, these are:

• Lamisil-Uno (the active substance is terbinafine);
• Lamella (with terbinafine);
• Exoderyl (with naphthyne).

Antifungal varnishes

Fungicidal varnishes are used for the following indications:

• the duration of the disease does not exceed a year;
• the fungus did not affect the structure of the nail;
• no more than 1/3 of the nail plate is affected.

These drugs are preferred when there are contraindications for oral treatment: liver or kidney disease, complications of the cardiovascular system.

Lacquer products are classified as economical, they are applied to the nails not daily, but 1-3 times a week. The frequency of use depends on at what stage of the disease is carried out, and on the basis of which active ingredient is the varnish made. The basis is amorolfine or cyclopirox.

Lacquer on amorolfine (Loceryl) is applied to the damaged nail plate twice a week for the first month of treatment, then once a week. Cyclopyroxolamine-based varnishes require more frequent application: 2-3 times a week throughout the treatment phase. On average, the duration of disposal of the fungus using varnishes is from 4 months to six months.

Cyclopirox (Batrafen varnish) is an active substance of synthetic origin of many antifungal drugs. Highly effective against superficial mycoses, it is used in varnishes against nail fungus. However, efficacy against onychomycosis in varnishes with cyclopirox is lower than in amorolfine analogues.

Varnishes from a fungus are just a godsend for women who are faced with the problem of onychomycosis. You can apply the drug under a cosmetic varnish, thus completely masking the problem, and without giving up open shoes and sandals in the summer.

Ingest cheap drugs

Oral therapy is considered the most reliable and effective way to treat foot mycosis and onychomycosis. The main criterion for choosing an oral antimycotic is the spectrum of its effect. What pills are prescribed?

Often, with similar active components that are contained in external products:

• Preparations with the active substance terbinafine. Tablets are taken at 250 milligrams per day (unless otherwise indicated) daily. It is necessary to do this as much as possible at the same time before eating. Reception is continued from 2 to 4 months. Allowed to give tablets to children from 2 years.
• Drugs with itraconazole are used at the rate of "pulse therapy": 200 milligrams twice a day (it is important to maintain a twenty-hour interval), be sure to eat. To increase bioavailability, the drug is washed down with acidified water or apple juice. Continue treatment for a week. After a break of 3 weeks, the seven-day cycle is repeated. It takes up to 5 such cycles.
• Fluconazole, like other drugs for candidiasis, is used mainly for isolated candidal onychomycosis. A tool of 150 milligrams is taken once or twice a week for up to 2 months.

During pregnancy and during breastfeeding, oral treatment of the fungus is prohibited!

Top 3 remedies, according to the editorial board of elsatrends.decorexpro.com/en/

The cheapest and most effective remedies for mycoses, according to elsatrends.decorexpro.com/en/, can be purchased at any pharmacy. We tried to choose drugs cheaper than 150 rubles. And here's what happened:

Terbinafine ointment.

The action of this ointment for skin and nails is due to the composition, where the active substance is similar to the name. The product is applied to affected areas of the skin or nail, gently rubbing, up to 2 times a day. The course treatment lasts up to several months (according to indications). After the signs of the fungus disappear for preventive purposes, Terbinafine is used for up to 2 weeks to avoid relapse. The cost of a tube (15 milligrams) of ointment is about 85 rubles.

Fluconazole

This drug is for oral use, demonstrating its effectiveness both against Candida fungus (often used for thrush in women) and against a number of fungi that cause mycosis and onychomycosis. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor, as well as the dosage of the drug. A package of fluconazole is about 30-50 rubles.

Nystatin (ointment).

External use involves applying the product on the affected surface twice a day. The course of treatment is from two weeks, the exact duration of use should be discussed with the doctor. The cost of a tube of 15 milligrams is from 70 rubles.

How to choose the right treatment methods?

Depending on the stage and type of the disease, treatment should be selected. Therapy of smooth skin mycoses is carried out by external means. The treatment of onychomycosis is carried out comprehensively or using one of the methods: local antifungal therapy, cleaning and removal of affected nail plates, and oral treatment.

At the first signs of foot and nail fungus, you should immediately consult a doctor. Despite the fact that mycoses are not dangerous diseases, they significantly spoil the quality of life of the patient, moreover, they are infectious. Moreover, it is possible to recover from a fungus quickly and simply, without overpaying for beautiful packaging and advertising.