List of inexpensive but effective drugs for the treatment of foot fungus

List of ointments for toenail fungus: effective and inexpensive drugs

Nail fungus is a very unpleasant disease that causes many problems. Symptoms of the disease include inflammation of the skin around the nail plate, splitting of the nail, and pale spots. The itching caused by fungus causes a lot of unpleasant sensations.

Nail plates affected by pathogenic microorganisms gradually become deformed and die. A neglected fungus is fraught with serious complications for the condition of the nails and skin of the feet, and is difficult to treat. Therefore, it is very important to begin timely treatment of the disease and prevent its further development. By consulting a doctor, you will be selected the best and most effective ointment for nail fungus - it will help you quickly cope with the unpleasant disease.

List of the best ointments for fungus

The list of antifungal drugs for external use includes agents that can cope with onychomycosis at any stage of the disease.

All external antifungal agents are divided into:

According to reviews, the use of antifungal ointments has many advantages:

• they can be used by people for whom systemic therapy is contraindicated for medical reasons;
• precision of impact - the medicine is applied to the affected areas, acts directly on the causative agents of the disease, which speeds up the healing process;
• high safety - drugs are normally tolerated by the body, so long-term continuous therapy is acceptable, side effects are rare;
• minimal number of contraindications;
• versatility - suitable for treating skin fungus, as well as fingernails and toenails;
• affordable cost of medicines.

The main disadvantage of ointments is that in advanced stages of the disease, when large areas of skin and nails are affected, they will not help. In such situations, they should be used in combination with systemic drugs.

Antifungal ointment Sinalar K (Synalar C)

It is a combination drug. Sinalar C acts locally. Available in the form of a cream or ointment. The composition contains clioquinol 3% and fluocinolone 0.025%.

Antifungal ointment Sinalar K

It is used for inflammatory skin diseases with the occurrence of fungus or seborrhea, dermatitis, eczema, intertrigo.

Sinalar K should be rubbed 2-3 times/day or applied to the affected area with an occlusive dressing. Local irritation, allergies, stretch marks may occur, small blood vessels may dilate and the skin may become thinner.

Sinalar should not be used:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• for acne;
• for diaper rash;
• for primary infectious skin lesions (bacterial, viral);
• for dermatosis in children under 1 year of age;
• for psoriasis plaques;
• with itching of the genitals and anus.

It should be noted that Sinalar K leaves visible marks on clothing, so it is better to provide additional lining. Do not use the product for a long time and do not apply it to your face. Store the ointment in a cool place.

Lamisil

The well-known drug Lamisil will quickly help cope with nail and foot fungus, as well as various types of mycoses. Some doctors are confident that this is the best ointment for nail fungus, since it acts very quickly and can overcome the disease in 1-2 weeks.

Lamisil is a highly effective and fast-acting fungal remedy. The drug is intended not only for use in the treatment of affected nail plates, but also for the treatment of various areas of the skin. The product is well tolerated by the body, quickly restores the nail plate and provides its further protection, preventing the occurrence of secondary infections. The ointment has virtually no contraindications and does not cause side effects.

The average price for Lamizol ointment in the domestic pharmacy chain is 480 rubles. The drug is available without a prescription.

Treatment with ointments

At the initial stage of disease development, modern antifungal ointments guarantee successful treatment. Correct selection of the product is possible only on the basis of scraping analysis. Thanks to it, the type of pathogenic microorganism that provoked the development of the disease is determined.

All antifungal ointments have contraindications, so they must be used only as prescribed by a doctor. The products must be used in accordance with the instructions for use. Basic Rules:

• Before applying the ointment, your feet should be washed with warm water and antibacterial soap and dried with a napkin.
• Apply the ointment in a thin layer with light rubbing movements onto the entire surface affected by the fungus.
• After treatment, it is recommended to wear clean socks.

Today, pharmacology offers a huge number of effective ointments for the treatment of mycosis. They have a destructive effect on fungi and remove unpleasant symptoms. After their use, the skin quickly recovers.

The following types of drugs are produced for the treatment of mycosis:

• Azole-based ointments. They have a narrowly targeted effect and can successfully combat certain types of fungi.
• Ointments based on allylamines. These agents are characterized by a wide spectrum of action.
• Combined means. They usually add antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and skin-restoring components.

The best antifungals

A popular and effective antifungal ointment with a broad spectrum of action is Lamisil. The main active ingredient in it is terbinafine. The drug is able to destroy fungi in a short time. As a rule, it is possible to get rid of the symptoms of the disease with the help of ointment within 3-6 days, but in order to completely eliminate the infection, treatment must be carried out within two weeks. Lamisil rarely causes side effects when the directions for use are followed. But there are contraindications that must be taken into account.

A well-known antifungal drug for the treatment of mycosis is Clotrimazole ointment. Its peculiarity is the absence of harmful effects on the body. This is due to the fact that the active substance terbinafine does not penetrate the bloodstream, but works exclusively in the skin. The duration of treatment for a fungal infection with Clotrimazole is approximately 6 weeks when used 2-3 times a day. However, side effects in the absence of an overdose are very rare. The main contraindications for use are pregnancy and childhood.

Other effective and popular ointments for foot fungus:

• "Exoderil". The active ingredient is naftifine hydrochloride. The drug is able to quickly absorb into the skin and provide a high speed of action on harmful microorganisms. The desired effect is achieved within no more than 2-4 weeks. When used, it is possible to quickly eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
• "Ketoconazole". The ointment is effective only at the initial stage of the disease. In advanced cases, it is necessary to use additional antifungal agents. The advantage of the drug is the minimal number of possible side effects.

Antiseptic and drying ointments

In severe cases, in the complex treatment of fungal infections, antiseptic and drying ointments are used. They improve the clinical picture and are able to accelerate the effectiveness of therapy.

An inexpensive and effective remedy is sulfur ointment. Its peculiarity is its activity against certain types of fungi. The only contraindication is individual intolerance to the drug. Sulfur ointment can be used during pregnancy and childhood. Certain inconveniences in use arise due to the fact that after use, marks may remain on the laundry that cannot be washed off.

Another effective antiseptic is salicylic ointment. It is made on the basis of salicylic acid and has an antifungal effect. It is important to ensure that there are no allergic reactions to it before using the product. The duration of treatment should not exceed three weeks. Sulfur-salicylic ointment has higher effectiveness. In this preparation, salicylic acid enhances the antifungal effect of sulfur, which enhances the therapeutic effect.

After antimycotic therapy using special drugs, preventive measures should be taken to avoid re-infection with the fungus. It is important to maintain foot hygiene and not use other people's shoes. Additionally, it is recommended to use special preventive antifungal creams for foot care.

Salicylic ointment

Ingredients: The active ingredient is salicylic acid.

Indications: refers to non-steroidal external agents, relieves fungus from infected areas of the nail plate, has an antiseptic effect. The advantage of the drug is the absence of contraindications, but in advanced forms of the disease it is ineffective.

Application: the scheme for using salicylic ointment in the treatment of mycosis provides two options - lubricating the affected nail (area) or a compress. With the second method of treatment, the bandage is applied at night, which will speed up recovery by 3-5 days, but the side effect (skin exfoliation) requires taking baths with a soap-soda solution to remove the exfoliated epidermis.

Cost: from 25 rubles.

Recommendations

Features of mycotic nail infections are the complexity and duration of recovery. Usually, the first signs of improvement occur within a short period, but after the end of the course of treatment, symptoms appear again, which doctors associate with deep tissue damage. This is why dermatologists prescribe medications in long courses.

The products must be applied after pre-treatment of the nail plate. Feet can be steamed. If the skin is involved, doctors prescribe a complex of drugs.

In severe cases of mycotic infection, it is recommended to remove the nail surgically, and only then begin antimycotic therapy.

Currently, the pharmaceutical industry offers a wide range of antimycotic agents. The drugs have a pronounced therapeutic effect, provided they are used correctly and all doctor’s recommendations are followed. Independent choice of antifungal drugs can cause adverse reactions. It is recommended to use ointments only after a complete examination.

Terbinafine

The Russian-made ointment contains terbinafine hydrochloride and a number of auxiliary ingredients.

For fungal infections, the product is used for 3 to 6 months. Apply it to the surface damaged by fungus in a thin layer 2 times a day. Terbinafine is inexpensive - from 60 rubles.

An analogue of Terbinafine is the ointment for the fungus Terbinox with a higher price - it varies between 40 - 280 rubles. Prescribed for mycosis and onychomycosis associated with the activity of dermatophytes and candida agents, as well as for pityriasis versicolor. Terbinox gives a positive effect of antifungal therapy in 95% of cases. It can be used to remove the fungus in 21–35 days.

Exoderil

The drug Exoderil belongs to the group of allylamines. Its main medicinal substance is naftifine. The ointment has a destructive effect on the cell walls of the fungus and is aimed at quickly eliminating the disease.

The remedy also prevents the further development of various complications of the disease. According to reviews, the use of Exoderil in the treatment of early-stage nail fungus will allow you to cope with the disease in 1-2 weeks with regular application of the drug. It has no contraindications and does not cause side effects.

Mikozan

This is not just an ointment, but a kit for treating fungus. It consists of serum and ten disposable files.

Mycosan is atoxic, it cures mycosis and onychomycosis and prevents relapses of diseases. The serum is quickly absorbed and does not stain clothes; eliminates itching and burning – characteristic symptoms of fungus.

Treatment of foot fungus with Mycozan is carried out regularly for a month, lubricating the affected area 2 times a day. Therapy is completed as the healthy plate grows. Mikozan is expensive - about 900 rubles.

How to improve the effectiveness of treatment

To increase the effectiveness of therapy, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of the fungus. Dermatologists identify a number of factors that provoke mycotic lesions of the feet:

• hypovitaminosis;
• poor nutrition;
• lack of personal hygiene;
• diabetes;
• hyperhidrosis;
• venous insufficiency;
• abuse of hormonal contraceptives.

When treating dermatomycosis, you must follow the rules for using external medications:

• Before treatment, feet are washed with laundry or tar soap;
• The skin in the interdigital area is thoroughly dried with a towel;
• ointments and creams are applied to the lesions and 2 cm of healthy skin around them;
• the course of treatment is not interrupted even if there is a visible improvement in the condition of the feet.

In half of the cases, the fungus occurs against the background of other diseases. To speed up recovery and avoid relapses of mycosis, you need to follow hygiene rules and treat chronic diseases in a timely manner. Mycologists recommend treating closed shoes with aerosol antiseptics at least once a week.

Foot fungus is an infectious disease that is most often caused by opportunistic microorganisms. Ignoring the problem leads to onychomycosis, which is difficult to treat. At the first symptoms of a fungal infection, consult a dermatologist. Timely treatment of feet with ointments and taking pills prevent complications - pyoderma, onycholysis, generalized mycosis.

Candide B

This is a combination drug based on clotrimazole and the glucocorticoid beclomethasone. They are both effective antimycotic agents. They quickly restore the nail and prevent the fungus from reactivating.

Candide B can be used not only on nails, but also on the skin. It is well tolerated.

Thanks to the presence of beclomethasone, the inflammatory process stops and the itching disappears. A complex effect is exerted on various pathogenic microorganisms. The synthesis of substances favorable for the development of fungus is suppressed.

The treatment period ranges from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the degree of neglect of the process. It is recommended to apply the ointment to clean feet 1 – 2 times a day and leave until completely absorbed.

Price: from 400 rubles.

University

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The head of the department of skin and venereal diseases of BSMU, associate professor Valentin Gavriilovich PANKRATOV, answered questions from Komsomolskaya Pravda readers on a “direct line”

— Dear Valentin Gavriilovich, I have several questions for you. Fungi affected my toenails about twenty years ago. At first they did not cause any concern, but over time the immunity weakened, the fungus spread to the fingernails, and then, as I understood, allergy problems arose due to the fungus. I realized that I needed treatment. And I would like to ask how effective are the medications that are widely advertised, and how much do they destroy the liver and disrupt its functions?

- Both terbinafines (exifin, lamisil) and intraconazole are generally quite well tolerated drugs because they have minimal effects on liver function. At the same time, they have a high degree of fungicidal activity, i.e. are able to stop the proliferation of pathogenic fungi in lesions and even lyse them.

“And the doctor told me that if you want to plant your liver, you can take them.”

- No it is not true. These drugs are not superhepatoxic, i.e. dangerous for the liver.

- But the treatment does not last a week or even a month.

— Yes, when taking systemic antimycotics, treatment lasts from 3 to 6 months. The older a person is, the longer he has to undergo treatment. Here is the order: for people under the age of 45-50, toenails grow in 3.5-4 months, on the hands - in 2.5-3 months. And with each next ten years, add another month to the treatment. Those. If a person is 80 years old, then his healthy nail will grow in 7-8 months. If you are concerned about the liver, then you can support it with hepatoprotectors, which will increase its resistance to pathological influences and various damages. In this capacity, you can use Legalon, Karsil, Essentiale Forte, Liv 52, and multivitamin complexes. But in principle this is not necessary if the liver does not bother you.

— Tell me, doctor, which method of treating fungal diseases on the nails is the most effective?

— The most effective is combination treatment. Today, onychomycosis (what you call nail fungus) is treated with systemic medications that the patient takes orally, but to speed up the process there are also hardware cleaning, plasters, and varnishes that are applied to the nails. Onychomycosis is curable in almost 100% of cases. All you need is time, money, the desire to heal and diligence.

— Why is fungus dangerous, besides aesthetic problems?

— Mycoses on the nails are a source of allergies, which creates other problems in the body. Pathogenic fungi can cause a variety of changes in the immune system.

- Then we will treat. Thank you.

- Doctor, hello. Tell me how to treat foot fungus?

“It’s not that difficult with modern tools available.” Today we have a large selection of both system therapy and local treatment. Is it only your skin that is affected?

- Yes, the skin between the fingers.

- In this case, you can limit yourself to creams, ointments or lotions. Among the most effective are terbinafine preparations. But in general it is better to visit a doctor and consult with him. No doctor has yet learned how to treat over the phone.

— I served in the army and got a fungus. How can I find out what is the best way to treat it, otherwise it’s already scary to look at my nails.

- If the nails are affected, systemic therapy cannot be avoided. I would advise you to go to a medical and veterinary dispensary, undergo a mycological examination and get a fungal culture to find out the causative agent of the disease. Each type of mushroom has its own key antimycotic drug that works best. If it is candida, then fluconazole will work best; if trichophyton is red, then drugs from the terbinafine and itraconazole group will work better. So see your doctor. But there will be no problems with the medicine - if only there was money.

- Are you hosting the reception?

— Yes, every Tuesday at the city dermatovenerological dispensary on Prilukskaya, 46a, room 33, on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. In addition to me, professors N.Z. Yagovdik, L.G. Barabanov and other associate professors of the department of skin and venereal diseases of the medical university consult on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the skin and venereal dispensary. No one will refuse you admission, come. We do not charge money for consultations.

— Good afternoon, my name is Sergei Leonidovich, I am 49 years old. I have fungus on my nails. They say the most effective remedy is terbinafine. But I know that it is very expensive.

— If you have nail damage from trichophyton red, then indeed, the most effective drug is terbinafine. There are several preparations of terbinafine. They are identical in action, but different in price. You are probably using the most expensive one. But if one tablet of Lamisil, according to Pharmaservice, costs 5 thousand rubles, a tablet of Terbizil costs 3.5 thousand, then a tablet of Exifina costs just over 2 thousand rubles. You can also be successfully treated with itraconazole (orungal), a tablet of which costs 4,500 rubles.

— How long does it take to be treated?

- At your age, at least 3-4 months.

- Thank you.

— They are bothering me from the Mogilev region.

- All attention.

— Please help me get rid of fungus on my nails and peeling on my heels. I smeared my feet with different ointments for three months - almost no effect. Tell me honestly, is it possible to get rid of this infection?

— Ointments alone cannot cure nail fungus. Both systemic and local therapy are needed. If you are treated only with systemic agents, i.e. take pills - I give an 86-88% guarantee that you will be cured. If you add local treatment, i.e. plasters, varnishes or mechanical (hardware) nail cleaning, then there is a 98-100% guarantee that you will be cured.

“My friends are scaring me that I’ll have to have my nails removed.”

- Today, removing the nail is the last measure we resort to. The maximum that can happen in particularly advanced cases is to remove the affected part of the nail. But believe me, it is absolutely painless.

- Hello, Doctor. I have this problem. My sister's husband infected his sister with a fungus. I often vacation there with my grandson and am very afraid of getting infected.

- It is enough to follow basic hygiene rules - and the fungus will not touch you. All family members must have individual slippers, shoes, and towels. Before taking a bath or shower, if someone was there before you, it is not enough to simply rinse the bath - you must wash it with detergents.

— Is it necessary to use antifungal creams for prevention?

- No one can oblige you, but it would be nice.

- Another question. When I wash dishes with detergent, something like an allergy appears between my fingers.

“Most likely, these are candidal lesions of the interdigital folds, the so-called “housewives’ disease.” This is a fungal disease, for the treatment of which today there is a wide choice of medicines. You can use terbinafine creams (trade names of the drugs - exifin, lamisil), fluconazole. In terms of effectiveness, all terbinafine drugs are almost equal; choose the one that is affordable for you.

— Tell me, how can I find out if I have a fungus or not?

- What are the symptoms?

“I have these cups that have formed on my feet, they are peeling.

- Yes, it looks like mycosis. I would advise you, before it’s too late and the fungus has spread to your nails, to use antifungal creams. Better yet, consult a doctor, he will clarify the diagnosis and select the optimal drug for you.

— And one more question, if I may. My mom's heels are always cracking. How can this be cured?

— Most likely, the skin of your mother’s feet was infected with the fungus red trichophyton. She may need to resort to systemic therapy with terbinafine or itraconazole. Let him consult with a dermatovenerologist.

- Good afternoon. I would like to know what is the best way to treat ear fungus?

— I would recommend that you work systemically: take tablets inside and use ointments externally against this background. Your doctor will best tell you which pills to take in person, but as for ointments, I can recommend exifin. But it is better to use ointments together with tablets.

— Valentin Gavriilovich, my son has been taking exifin for three months, but his nails still look unsightly.

- And you go for an examination, and the doctor will tell you if there is a result. Terbinafine preparations, one of which is exifin, are quite effective antimycotics. The peculiarity of their action is that they quickly accumulate in the nail bed and nail plate and displace the fungus. I think your son is growing a healthy nail at a low rate and has not cleaned the affected part of the nail plate, which is masking this growth. You need to clean your nails.

“We didn’t think about that.” Thank you.

— Doctor, we have been cured of the fungus. I won’t remember how much money was spent. Now I'm worried about how to avoid getting infected again. What should we do with the shoes that most likely caused the infection?

- You are absolutely right in being afraid of getting infected again, especially if you use the same shoes. Fungal spores persist for months. You should treat your shoes with formaldehyde or vinegar. Formaldehyde is sold in pharmacies, and I think every housewife has vinegar. This is done like this: put on rubber gloves, take a piece of cotton wool, soak it in the solution, wipe the inside of the shoes, put it in a plastic bag, tie it with a tampon soaked in formaldehyde, and put it in a warm place for a day or two so that evaporation occurs. You will get a kind of steam-formalin chamber at home. After 24-48 hours, the fungus will only be an unpleasant memory.

- Thank you. Natalia KRIVETS Komsomolskaya Pravda , September 3, 2013

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Other products for external use

These drugs will also help get rid of foot fungus:

1. Fundizol. A complex product that softens and removes the nail plate. Apply 4-5 times a day until a visible effect is achieved. The price of the drug is approximately 100 rubles per package
2. Creolin. Refers to alternative medicine and is designed for use in veterinary medicine. It has antifungal, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. The liquid is applied to the affected nails 3-4 times a day. One jar of solution costs about 50 rubles.
3. Berezhnova liquid. This is a time-tested remedy consisting of glycerin, iodine, vinegar and sodium iodide. Fingers affected by the fungus are dipped into the bath with the solution and kept there for 10 minutes. The course of treatment can last up to 6 months. The product can be ordered at the pharmacy for only 50 rubles.

Traditional medicine also suggests adding apple cider vinegar and a few drops of lemon juice to a container with Listerine. This solution has a strong antiseptic effect, softening fungal scales.

Listerine can be purchased in pharmacies for about 150 rubles per bottle.

The cheapest remedies for skin fungus

The cost of the medicines described above for fungus in most cases does not exceed 200 rubles. But in the pharmacy chain you can buy medications even cheaper. The following medications will help eliminate fungal pathologies and unpleasant symptoms:

Despite the fact that the listed remedies are very cheap, they effectively cope with unpleasant manifestations. All drugs have an antiseptic and healing effect. They are also used in complex therapy in combination with other antifungal agents.

Home remedies for skin fungus

At home, using improvised means, you can quickly deal with the fungus. Below are folk recipes that have been used to treat fungal infections for many years:

1. Baking soda
   . A tablespoon of powder is stirred in a small amount of warm water until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. The product is applied to the affected areas and left for 15-20 minutes. To obtain the greatest effect, the course of treatment must be continued for a month.

2. Apple vinegar
   . To eliminate the fungus, it is necessary to prepare a medicinal ointment. For this, 100 gr. Kalanchoe leaves are crushed and placed in a glass container. Add 10 grams of honey, 30 ml of eucalyptus oil and a teaspoon of vinegar. Infuse the product for 3-4 days in a dark and cool place. Next, the home remedy is applied to the affected areas twice a day until the fungus is completely eliminated.

3. Garlic cream
   . Chopped garlic is mixed in equal proportions with softened butter. The home remedy is applied in a thin layer to the areas damaged by the fungus and left to act for 20 minutes. The course of treatment is a month. This cream is also used as a prophylactic to avoid relapses.

4. Iodine
   . This powerful antiseptic is added to pharmacy ointments before application to enhance antifungal treatment. This way the effect of therapy will be higher.

When treating a skin fungus, it is important to follow the instructions that come with your medications. The effectiveness of therapy directly depends on the correctness and regularity of use of the medicine. The same applies to home remedies. In severe cases of the disease, antifungal drugs in tablets should be added to the main course of treatment.

How to prepare your feet for applying ointment?

To destroy the mycelium that has grown deep into the nails, it is necessary that the ointment for nail fungus is absorbed as best as possible. To do this, you need to treat your feet. This is done either with the help of a therapeutic pedicure from a specialist podiatrist, or with home remedies.

If you choose a pedicure, go to a specialist, not a regular pedicure salon. The specialist not only has a device with grinding attachments, but also means of protection and disinfection, wears a special mask or helmet, and professionally disinfects the office.

The home method looks like this:

1. Make a hot soap-soda solution (5-10 grams of soap and soda per liter of water), soak your feet in it for 15-30 minutes;
2. Apply salicylic ointment or special Arievich ointment to your feet, wrap them in cellophane or parchment paper and leave them there for 12-24 hours. Then scrape off the keratinized skin and affected nail plates, cut off the fragments that are lagging behind the bed;
3. Dry your feet, wipe your nails dry, and only then apply the ointment.

If 1-2 nails are affected, it is enough to apply a special peel-off patch with urea or wrap it with a product containing a 40% solution of urea or lactic acid. Then the plate is scraped off or cut to healthy tissue.