How to Apply Antifungal Cream Correctly: Do’s and Don’ts

Fungal infections are so common in the US that, according to the data and statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated $7.5 billion is spent annually to address these issues. As a remedy to fungal infections, both over-the-counter and prescription-only medications are available on the market. In this regard, patients are often confused about how to apply antifungal cream correctly so that maximum benefits can be achieved.

In this article, we will address the question of how to apply antifungal cream correctly when it comes to treating infections. In addition, some of the well-known antifungal cream brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.

What are Antifungal Creams?

Antifungal creams are the topical products used for the treatment of fungal infections affecting the skin. These are available as over-the-counter or OTC medications, which can be bought without the need for a prescription. In addition, prescription-based antifungal creams are also recommended by physicians when the OTC ones are not working.

How to Apply Antifungal Cream Correctly?

When it comes to learning about how to apply antifungal cream, following the correct order is considered necessary. This way, the best results can be achieved in a shorter time. In this regard, the following section explains the step-by-step procedure of applying an antifungal cream:

Check the Antifungal Product

The first step while learning about how to apply antifungal cream is to inspect the product. Specifically, check the expiry date of the medication, as using an expired product will not heal the fungal infection even when the right dose is applied for the right duration.

Secondly, check the nature of the active ingredient as well as the excipients. Make sure that the patient is not allergic to any of these chemical substances.

Prepare the Skin

Although antifungal creams are easy to apply and have the right viscosity to stick in place for longer, there might be a need to prepare the area before applying the cream. If the affected area is hairy or large, you should prefer an antifungal spray or solution instead of a cream.

In case of a foot infection, make sure to wash the area and dry it completely before applying the antifungal cream. It is essential to thoroughly dry the space between the toes as well.

Apply the Antifungal Cream

With clean hands, open the jar or tube of the antifungal cream. Spread a layer of the medication on the affected area. Generally, a 1 cm strip of the antifungal cream is considered enough to treat an area the size of your hand. While learning about how to apply antifungal cream, make sure to avoid applying the antifungal cream near sensitive areas such as the eyes, lips, and mouth.

Reapply the Medication

As antifungal creams are to be applied twice or thrice a day, the procedure should be repeated throughout the day whenever necessary. Some antifungal creams are to be used for 7 days, while others need 4 weeks to perform their action. This usage duration depends on the type of active ingredient present in the medication.

Complete the Course

It is important to complete the course of antifungal cream even if the infection seems to have healed. The length of the course varies depending on the nature of the active ingredient present in the medication. If your symptoms worsen during the course duration or no improvement is noticed at all, consult your healthcare provider for further guidance.

Applying the Antifungal Cream: Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

While learning about how to apply antifungal cream, make sure to keep in mind the following to minimize the wastage of the product as well as to enhance the treatment efficacy:

• Always clean the infected area before applying the antifungal cream.
• Let the affected area get completely dried before applying the antifungal cream. For this purpose, wait for air drying and do not use a towel to rub the surface too hard.
• Always wash your hands after washing the infected area or applying the antifungal cream.

Don’ts

While learning about how to apply antifungal cream, the following mistakes should be avoided to minimize the risk:

• Never apply an antifungal cream near sensitive areas such as the lips, eyes, and mouth.
• Do not consume antifungal creams as these are for topical use only.
• Do not apply the antifungal cream on wet skin.
• Never rub the infected area too hard with a towel.
• Do not share the used towel with other people as it promotes the spread of the infection.
• If the affected area is too hairy, do not use antifungal creams. Rather, prefer antifungal sprays.
• Keep the medications out of reach of children.

Using Antifungal Creams: Possible Side Effects

Despite being safe to use, antifungal creams do pose a risk of some side effects. While learning about how to apply antifungal cream, keep in mind that some of these side effects are common to occur while others are rare. These include the following:

Common Side Effects

• Burning
• Skin irritation
• Stinging
• Irritation
• Redness
• Pimple-like bumps
• Tenderness
• Flaking of the skin

Rare Side Effects

• Allergic reaction
• Rash
• Itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
• Severe dizziness
• Troubled breathing

Precautionary Measures

While trying to understand how to apply antifungal cream, keep in mind that some of the following precautionary measures must be taken before starting the treatment:

Consult Your Doctor/Pharmacist

When it comes to learning how to apply antifungal cream, it is important to consult with your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies you already have. This is important so that they do not prescribe you an antifungal cream that could cause a hypersensitivity reaction. These allergies can be to both the active and inactive ingredients in the cream.

Medical History is Important

In addition, always let your healthcare provider know about your medical history before starting the antifungal treatment.

Pregnancy and Antifungal Creams

If you are pregnant, always seek medical guidance before using OTC antifungal agents. While learning about how to apply antifungal cream, keep in mind that these are generally considered safe; their use is recommended only if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Antifungal Creams at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

Antifungal creams are considered a necessary component of essential medications that should be kept at home. Minor to moderate skin infections can be easily managed with the use of OTC antifungal agents. If not, prescription-only antifungal agents can also be prescribed.

When it comes to learning about how to apply antifungal cream, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:

Tinactin Antifungal Foot Cream 15 gm 0.5 oz

US$130.88

Product Details

Tinactin antifungal foot creams are medical products that are designed for topical use only. This is an effective antifungal remedy that is available over the counter and can be employed for the treatment of athlete’s foot and ringworm infections.

While learning about how to apply antifungal cream, the active ingredient is often a concern. In case of these Tinactin antifungal foot creams, tolnaftate is the pharmaceutical moiety present in them that is considered highly suitable for athlete’s foot infection.

Moreover, these Tinactin antifungal foot creams have a viscous consistency and can stay on the target area for a long time. As for the quantity, each tube of Tinactin antifungal foot cream has 15 grams of the medication and a weight of about 0.5 ounce.

Furthermore, the product is considered safe for use by the patients and well-tolerated among people of all age groups. However, some may experience side effects like dryness, irritation, and redness.

DermaRite 00234 Antifungal DermaFungal® 2% Strength Cream 3.75 oz. Tube (24/CS)

US$159.88

Product Details

DermaRite 00234 antifungal DermaFungal® 2% strength creams have an odorless formula that helps prevent the bad odor of the infection. Moreover, the formulation is also suitable for keeping the affected area well-moisturized as it prevents dryness.

Furthermore, these DermaRite 00234 antifungal DermaFungal® 2% strength creams are available over-the-counter and can be employed for the treatment of jock itch, ringworm, athlete’s foot, as well as other superficial skin infections.

While learning about how to apply antifungal cream, patients are often concerned about the cost of the medication as well. In case of these DermaRite 00234 antifungal DermaFungal® 2% strength creams, each tube contains 3.75 ounces of the medication that is available in the set price. As for the strength, these antifungal creams contain miconazole nitrate as their active ingredient in a 2% strength.

DermaRite 00233 Antifungal DermaFungal® 2% Strength Cream 5 Gram Individual Packet (144/BX)

US$85.88

Product Details

DermaRite 00233 antifungal DermaFungal® 2% strength creams are similar products to the above but are available in the form of sachets instead of tubes, which cost comparatively less. These are over-the-counter items that do not require any prescription for purchase.

Moreover, while learning about how to apply antifungal cream, keep in mind that these are suitable for mild to moderate antifungal infections. Furthermore, each sachet of these DermaRite 00233 antifungal DermaFungal® 2% strength products has 5 grams of the product.

53-6391 McKesson Antifungal CR 2% 4OZ Tube CS12

US$83.86

Product Details

53-6391 McKesson antifungal tubes are the antifungal products that are suitable for the management of issues like itching, cracking, scaling, and burning. Their active ingredient is miconazole nitrate in a strength of 2.0%.

Moreover, these 53-6391 McKesson antifungal tubes can also be employed to treat problems like athlete’s foot as well as jock itch. Additionally, these are also effective in treating redness, soreness, irritation, and chafing.

While learning about how to apply antifungal cream, it is important to keep in mind that these 53-6391 McKesson antifungal tubes do not contain any chemical substance that could initiate an allergic reaction. These are also free from natural rubber latex, which is known to cause hypersensitivity reactions.

Each tube of these 53-6391 McKesson antifungal tubes contains 4 fluid ounces (fl oz) or 118.3 ml of the miconazole nitrate antifungal cream.

*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.

The products mentioned in this article, while learning about how to apply antifungal cream, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of antimicrobial items.

Conclusion

Fungal infections have become common in the US. Every year, the health department spends billions of dollars on its treatment and management. In case of medications, both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available in the market.

When it comes to learning how to apply antifungal cream, it is important to clean the skin area and thoroughly dry it before applying the cream. Then, the cream is applied to the area as a thin layer. It is also recommended to repeat the procedure based on the doctor’s instructions.

Considering their importance, topical antifungal creams should be kept in every household as well as in healthcare facilities for the management of fungal infections. For purchasing different types of antifungal creams, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/data-research/facts-stats/index.html