Name: Antifungal cream
Creator: Dr Karen Martin
Published: 2023-02-22T11:58:02.034Z

Miconazole is similar to clotrimazole in indications and formulations. Terbinafine, butenafine, and tolnaftate can be used for athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch, but they do not have a vaginal formulation.  

Ketoconazole

Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungals include: clotrimazole, ketoconazole, [miconazole](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/miconazole!0b2fdc02-c465-4f98-8c7a-7e671ddff3d3), [terbinafine](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/terbinafine!3688c520-0f9c-466f-9372-03c690568f60), butenafine, and tolnaftate.

Prescription antifungals include: econazole, nystatin, tioconazole, and higher strengths of some OTC antifungals. Some of these prescription products are available with hydrocortisone. The hydrocortisone combination can be used to help reduce redness, inflammation and itching.

Names of antifungals

Lotrimin AF Clotrimazole Antifungal Cream (1.1 oz)

Lotrimin Ultra Prescription Strength Antifungal Cream. 1.1 oz (30g)

Tinactin Tough Actin' Tolnaftate Antifungal Cream (0.5 oz)

Taro Clotrimazole 7 Day Vaginal Antifungal Cream, 1.5 Oz

This comes in a 1% cream and is mainly used to treat [athlete’s foot](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/athlete's-foot!992f21b4-9e14-402e-bbfc-e80e733bd3bc), [ringworm](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/fungal-skin-infection-\(ringworm\)!7e5500f0-dac4-4e2b-84e3-8a1423685ab7), and [jock itch](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/tinea-cruris-\(jock-itch\)!683290f6-e0ad-49e5-99f6-9cc7765fd7a1). It is also available in a vaginal formulation for yeast infections.

Clotrimazole

We are used to hearing about bacterial or viral infections, but fungal infections are maybe discussed a bit less commonly. Fungal skin infections are incredibly common, and are caused by coming into contact with fungal spores, such as on wet surfaces, or through excessive growth of naturally occurring fungus that lives on the skin. It is unlikely to go away on its own and, if left untreated, can lead to some bothersome symptoms, such as itch and soreness.

Miconazole is an antifungal medication for skin infections which comes as a cream, powder, and spray. Miconazole is also known by the brand name Lotrimin.

Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine used to treat skin infections caused by a fungus or yeast, including [athlete's foot](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/athlete's-foot!992f21b4-9e14-402e-bbfc-e80e733bd3bc), [fungal nail infections](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/fungal-nail-infection:-symptoms-causes-and-treatments!2d63fdda-3868-47bc-bb4c-bdfc9f8d6ac9), [ringworm](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/ringworm!b8eb5018-2912-41b7-be45-5e6735325754), [jock itch](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/tinea-cruris-\(jock-itch\)!683290f6-e0ad-49e5-99f6-9cc7765fd7a1), and tinea versicolor.

Terbinafine is available as a cream, powder, or spray for treating athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch. You can buy these from a pharmacy or supermarket. It also comes as a tablet for treating fungal nail infections and other fungal infections. However, this is only available on prescription.

Lamisil (containing the active ingredient [terbinafine](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/terbinafine!3688c520-0f9c-466f-9372-03c690568f60)) is an oral antifungal medicine used to treat fungal nail infections.

Fungal nail infections tend to affect toenails far more than fingernails. This is because the feet are more often exposed to the kind of environments where this type of infection thrives (warm, humid environments). The infection can appear on any part of your nail but usually occurs under the nail plate (the hard part of the nail) on the nail bed.

Lamisil is also available as a cream, gel, or spray version over-the-counter for treating other types of fungal infections such as [athlete’s foot](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/athlete's-foot!992f21b4-9e14-402e-bbfc-e80e733bd3bc), [jock itch](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/ringworm-\(tinea-cruris\)!b8eb5018-2912-41b7-be45-5e6735325754), and [ringworm](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/fungal-skin-infection-\(ringworm\)!7e5500f0-dac4-4e2b-84e3-8a1423685ab7). Terbinafine tablets are used to treat more ingrained fungal infections and are only available on prescription.

Antifungal creams are sometimes called fungal creams, and are used to treat fungal infections. The creams are mainly used for skin and vaginal infections, whereas tablets are usually used for more widespread skin and internal infections. Different antifungal creams are used for different types of skin and vaginal infections, so we’ll explain some of them in detail, and their different uses. 

Antifungal tablets are taken by mouth to treat fungal infections. They can be prescribed by a doctor when topical ([creams](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/antifungal-cream!7c4d40ee-c836-404b-afe0-90134328c688) and sprays) [antifungals](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/antifungals:-a-guide-to-treating-fungal-infections!0c84287c-eaee-483c-9e09-3561505ae381) are not helping to clear up the infection. In certain cases, if the infection is severe or widespread or internal, then oral antifungals may be prescribed first by your doctor. There are a number of types of antifungals known as the triazole, imidazole, polyene, echinocandin and allylamine groups.

Antifungals are a category of medication that stops the growth of fungi that cause infections. Simple treatments can include over-the-counter topical medication but more complex treatments can involve prescription tablets, creams or other methods. Although antifungals are all one topic, they can be subcategorized into different types – we’ll go through this in more detail below.

Lamisil (containing the active ingredient [terbinafine](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/terbinafine!3688c520-0f9c-466f-9372-03c690568f60)) is an antifungal medicine used to treat fungal nail infections. Lamisil is available as a cream and a spray over-the-counter for treating [athlete's foot](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/athlete's-foot!992f21b4-9e14-402e-bbfc-e80e733bd3bc), [jock itch](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/ringworm-\(tinea-cruris\)!b8eb5018-2912-41b7-be45-5e6735325754), and [ringworm](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/fungal-skin-infection-\(ringworm\)!7e5500f0-dac4-4e2b-84e3-8a1423685ab7).[ ](https://www.healthwords.ai/condition/ringworm-\(tinea-cruris\)!2c45823d-838f-4ced-8844-c3e881bc7270)The terbinafine tablets for treating deeper fungal nail infections and other conditions are only available on prescription.

Fungal nail infection: symptoms, causes and treatments

A nail with a fungal infection turns yellow and thickened at the tip, becoming soft and crumbly. Over weeks it infects the rest of the healthy pink parts of the nail and starts to lift off, and eventually, over the course of a few months, the whole infected nail may come off.

People are usually bothered by the appearance, and only notice when summer announces itself and the flip flops come out, after a winter of feet in warm sweaty socks and shoes. It can occasionally cause swelling and pain.

Tinea unguium, the medical term for fungal nail infection, is more common in the toenails than fingernails. It can affect one nail or several, usually on the same hand or foot, and can eventually spread to the other foot.

Fungal nail infections will not get better without treatment, and can take a long time to treat. Here, Healthwords pharmacists and doctors walk you through the options available.

Fungal nail infections will not get better without treatment. Treating a fungal nail infection can take a long time, and it is important to know that treatment is only necessary if the person is bothered by the look or feel of the nail. Here Healthwords's pharmacists walk you through the options available. 

Tinea cruris (jock itch) is a common [fungal skin infection](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/fungal-skin-infection-\(ringworm\)!7e5500f0-dac4-4e2b-84e3-8a1423685ab7) of the groin. Sometimes doctors call it the medical term tinea cruris or ringworm - we should be clear it has nothing to do with worms! This fungal infection usually occurs in warm, moist areas such as the groin or in the armpit area or feet (where it is called tinea pedis or athletes foot). It produces symptoms of a rash that is usually red, sore and itchy and has clear edges that can form a ring-like pattern. It is commonly found in athletes and the elderly but can affect anyone. It is often found in the crease of the groin and can spread a short way down the upper thigh.

The majority of cases are mild and can be treated easily with over the counter [antifungal creams](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/antifungal-cream!7c4d40ee-c836-404b-afe0-90134328c688) available from your pharmacist. If the medication is for a child you will be asked to see the doctor first rather than getting an over the counter cream.

There are a number of different antifungal creams available (you will see names such as terbinafine, clotrimazole, and miconazole) so check the directions that come with each cream as it will tell you how often and how long to use it. Apply the cream to the affected area and to the non-affected skin that is up to 2 inches around the affected area.

Dr Kandi - Tinea cruris

Ringworm (also known as jock itch) is a common fungal skin infection of the groin. Sometimes doctors call it the medical term tinea cruris - we should be clear it has nothing to do with worms! This fungal infection usually occurs in warm, moist areas such as the groin or in the armpit area or feet (where it is called tinea pedis or [athlete's foot](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/athlete's-foot!992f21b4-9e14-402e-bbfc-e80e733bd3bc)). It produces symptoms of a rash that is usually red, sore and itchy and has clear edges that can form a ring-like pattern. It is commonly found in athletes and the elderly but can affect anyone. When it is found in the crease of the groin it can spread a short way down the upper thigh.

The majority of cases are mild and can be treated easily with over-the-counter [antifungal creams](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/antifungal-cream!7c4d40ee-c836-404b-afe0-90134328c688) available from your pharmacy. If the medication is for a child, you should check with your pharmacist about the most appropriate over-the-counter medication.

There are a number of different antifungal creams available (you will see names such as terbinafine, clotrimazole, tolnaftate, and miconazole), so check the directions that come with each cream as it will tell you how often and for how long to use it. Apply the cream to the affected area and to the non-affected skin that is up to 2 inches around the affected area.

Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection that occurs in warm, moist areas such as the feet and between the toes. It’s very common, affecting up to a quarter of people at some time in their life. Known medically as tinea pedis, it produces symptoms of a rash that is usually red, sore and itchy, with clear edges that can form a ring-like pattern, giving it its other name of ringworm. It can be passed on from person to person, often from walking barefoot in gym showers or around swimming pools.

The typical presentation of athlete’s foot is that the skin between the little toes is often affected first, with a very itchy rash that can split or crack the skin there. Larger splits can then occur between other toes which can be painful and the rash can progressively spread along the toes if it isn’t treated. Sometimes it can spread to the soles of the feet and even the sides of them in severe cases.

[Athlete’s foot](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/athlete's-foot!992f21b4-9e14-402e-bbfc-e80e733bd3bc) (also known as tinea pedis) is a fungal skin infection affecting the feet. Symptoms usually include a rash in between the toes that can sometimes spread to the soles of the feet. The rash is typically red, sore, and itchy and has clear edges that can form a ring-like pattern. Athlete’s foot can affect one or both of your feet. Fungi called dermatophytes are responsible for athlete’s foot. They usually live harmlessly on our skin; however, when exposed to a warm, moist environment, they can multiply and invade the skin.

Fluconazole is a type of medicine known as an antifungal. It is only available by prescription in the US to treat vaginal thrush; male sexual partners can also be treated for penile thrush. Fluconazole may also treat other fungal infections such as oral thrush, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch. 

Fluconazole is a single 150 mg tablet; Diflucan is a branded version.  

Dr Kandi - Antifungals

Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine used to treat skin infections caused by a fungus or yeast, including athlete's foot, fungal nail infections, ringworm, and pityriasis versicolor. 

Terbinafine is available as a cream or spray for treating athlete's foot, ringworm, and pityriasis versicolor. You can buy these from a pharmacy or supermarket. It also comes as tablets for treating fungal nail infections and other fungal infections, however, this is only available on prescription.   

Dr Karen Martin

Pharmacist and Head of US Content

There are many topical creams used to treat fungal infections. They are mainly used for localized skin infections, whereas tablets are usually used for more widespread skin and internal infections.  Different antifungal creams are used for different types of [skin](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/fungal-skin-infection-\(ringworm\)!7e5500f0-dac4-4e2b-84e3-8a1423685ab7), [vaginal](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/vaginal-thrush!917d9901-7842-4f6d-b15c-9fadd70dcdd6) or [nail infections](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/fungal-nail-infection:-symptoms-causes-and-treatments!2d63fdda-3868-47bc-bb4c-bdfc9f8d6ac9)[. ](https://www.healthwords.ai/article/fungal-nail-infection!4976d0c2-d5f2-4968-a5ba-63f40eb1390a)The Healthwords team will explain some of the topical antifungal creams in detail and their different uses.

Antifungal cream

Doctor’s advice

Names of antifungals

Clotrimazole

Pharmacist recommended products

Other topical antifungals

Ketoconazole

Related topics

Miconazole

Terbinafine

Lamisil for toenail fungus

Fungal Cream

Antifungal tablet

Antifungal medicines

Lamisil for nail fungus

Fungal nail infection: symptoms, causes and treatments

Nail fungal cream

Tinea cruris (jock itch)

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)

Athlete's foot

Athlete’s foot treatment

Fluconazole

Terbinafine for nail fungus