The most effective treatment plan for fungal infections uses a multifaceted approach. The first step in treatment is prevention. Prevention measures include maintaining good oral, groin and skin hygiene. It is also important not to share towels, underwear and other personal items with other people.
Prevention also includes using antibiotics only when truly needed, which can help minimize fungal infections that result from antibiotic use.
To prevent transmission of fungal infections to a newborn infant, pregnant women should consult with their licensed health care provider if they have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, such as vaginal itching, burning with urination, and a cheesy white discharge. Nursing women who have nipple discharge or pain should also notify their provider so they can be examined for fungal infections of the nipples, which could be transmitted to the mouth of a nursing infant.
In many cases oral fungal infections (oral thrush) in infants can disappear within two weeks and may need no treatment other than watching the progress of the mouth lesions. Because oral thrush maybe painful in the mouth and affect feedings, the pediatrician should still be notified if symptoms appear in an infant.
A treatment plan may also include medications, including prescription topical or oral antifungal medications, such as fluconazole. For a severe fungal infection of the lungs, hospitalization and intravenous administration of antifungal medications may be necessary.
Treatment of fungal infections also includes diagnosing any underlying diseases that may increase the risk for the infection. These include HIV/AIDS and diabetes. Treating the high blood sugar levels of diabetes may resolve a current infection and is key to minimizing the risk of developing recurrent infections of fungal infections.
Therapy may also include eating yogurt or taking acidophilus supplements, which can help to correct the abnormal balance of microorganisms in the mouth and digestive tract, which leads to fungal infections. Using antiseptic mouth washes may also be recommended for oral thrush.
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Fungal infections includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Fungal infections include:
Unlabelled alternative drug treatments for Fungal infections include:
The following are some of the latest treatments for Fungal infections:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Fungal infections:
For many years, very powerful oral antifungal medicines were used only to treat systemic (within the body) fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis. Doctors usually prescribe oral antifungal medications cautiously because all of them, even the milder ones for skin and nail fungi, can have very serious side effects. (Source: excerpt from Microbes in Sickness and in Health - Publications, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: NIAID)
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Depending on the stage of the disease and its rate of progression, past treatment and results, the patient's age and overall clinical status, treatment facilities available, and other factors, treatment of MF may include topical, intralesional, or systemic corticosteroid therapy; phototherapy; methoxsalen photochemotherapy; radiation; topical, intralesional, or systemic treatment with mechlorethamine (nitrogen mustard); and other systemic chemotherapy.
Application of topical nitrogen mustard is the preferred treatment for inducing remission in pretumorous stages. Plaques may also be treated with sunlight and topical steroids.
Total body electron beam radiation, which is less toxic to internal organs than standard photon beam radiation, has induced remission in some patients with early stage MF.
Chemotherapy is employed primarily for patients with advanced MF; systemic treatment with chemotherapeutic agents (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, doxorubicin, bleomycin, etoposide, and steroids) and interferon-alfa produces transient regression.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Usually, mild primary coccidioidomycosis requires only bed rest and relief of symptoms. Severe primary disease and dissemination, however, also require long-term I.V. infusion or, with CNS dissemination, intrathecal administration of amphotericin B and, possibly, excision or drainage of lesions. Severe pulmonary lesions may require lobectomy. Miconazole and ketoconazole suppress C. immitis but don’t eradicate it. Itraconazole has been used successfully in the treatment of mildly severe cases.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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