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Suggest Treatment For Fungal Infection On Genital Area
Question: I had fungus infection on and near my private parts more than a decade ago. After the treatment, the skin has turned dark. Sometimes, I get itching. Had been to multiple doctors. Recently doctor suggested using Terbest powder and Tenovate M for a month. Now I am using only Terbest powder but still I get itches sometimes. I apply Tenovate M for a couple of days and it becomes better but itching recurs if I stop using it. What can I do? Is there any permanent solution?
Brief Answer:
Oral antifungal &Topical mild steroid+antifungal cream &Oral antihistamine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
The cream that you have been advised to use contains a superpotent steroid i.e clobetasol propionate along with an antifungal, miconazole.
This is not recommended for use at the delicate skin of groin because it can cause side effects like skin thinning, atrophy and striae.
It would definitely provide symptomatic relief because it contains a potent steroid but in the longer run it would do more harm than good.
Moreover, this cream would not be able to eradicate fungal infection on its own without the need of an Oral antifungal.
I suggest you to use a milder steroid+antifungal creamcombination (e.g clotrimazole + beclomethasone), twice daily along with Oral antifungal e.g daily terbinafine Or weekly fluconazole and Oral antihistamine (e.g cetrizine).
Moreover, since you have had chronic fungal infection therefore the skin in that area probably has become dark and thickened due to constant scratching; this dark thickened skin is known as Lichen Simplex Chronicus (LSC).
LSC is itself itchy; the more you scratch the more the skin gets thickened and in turn itches more thus becomes a cycle known as itch-scratch-itch cycle.
Therefore I would suggest you to take an OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine tablet once daily to break the LSC cycle in addition to Oral and topical antifungals for 4-6 weeks.
Regards
Oral antifungal &Topical mild steroid+antifungal cream &Oral antihistamine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
The cream that you have been advised to use contains a superpotent steroid i.e clobetasol propionate along with an antifungal, miconazole.
This is not recommended for use at the delicate skin of groin because it can cause side effects like skin thinning, atrophy and striae.
It would definitely provide symptomatic relief because it contains a potent steroid but in the longer run it would do more harm than good.
Moreover, this cream would not be able to eradicate fungal infection on its own without the need of an Oral antifungal.
I suggest you to use a milder steroid+antifungal creamcombination (e.g clotrimazole + beclomethasone), twice daily along with Oral antifungal e.g daily terbinafine Or weekly fluconazole and Oral antihistamine (e.g cetrizine).
Moreover, since you have had chronic fungal infection therefore the skin in that area probably has become dark and thickened due to constant scratching; this dark thickened skin is known as Lichen Simplex Chronicus (LSC).
LSC is itself itchy; the more you scratch the more the skin gets thickened and in turn itches more thus becomes a cycle known as itch-scratch-itch cycle.
Therefore I would suggest you to take an OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine tablet once daily to break the LSC cycle in addition to Oral and topical antifungals for 4-6 weeks.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you doctor for the reply. I am also on medication for high triglycerides and taking Livopill B (one tab daily morning) and atorvastatin calcium 20mg (daily 1 tab at night) for 1 month. Is it safe to take the medicine you have prescribed along with these or should I wait and take? If you could prescribe the medicine names, that would be very helpful. Should I have to take all the medicines you have prescribed for 4-6 weeks?
Brief Answer:
I suggest Oral terbinefine along with Topical Cream; visit a dermatologist
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I would suggest Oral Terbinafine rather than Oral flucoanzole because the latter has more drug-drug interactions as compared to Terbinafine which would be safer in your case.
You may certainly take Oral Terbinafine along with the lipid lowering agents.
I also suggest a topical steroid+antifungal combination cream (i.e clotrimazole 1%+beclomethasone 0.25% combination cream) to be applied, twice daily.
This cream combination contains a milder steroid (i.e beclomethasone) which is safe for use at the delicate skin of groin rather than the one you were using earlier (clobetasol propionate).
Oral+topical treatment together should be continued for 4-6 weeks.
These are prescription medications. I suggest you to visit a dermatologist in your region for a visual assessment of the skin condition and appropriate prescription.
This discussion cannot be a means to prescribe medications.
I can only provide you guidance so that your treatment goes in the right direction and ultimately you are benefited.
Please go through the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
An OTC Oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily would help alleviate itching sensation.
Regards
I suggest Oral terbinefine along with Topical Cream; visit a dermatologist
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I would suggest Oral Terbinafine rather than Oral flucoanzole because the latter has more drug-drug interactions as compared to Terbinafine which would be safer in your case.
You may certainly take Oral Terbinafine along with the lipid lowering agents.
I also suggest a topical steroid+antifungal combination cream (i.e clotrimazole 1%+beclomethasone 0.25% combination cream) to be applied, twice daily.
This cream combination contains a milder steroid (i.e beclomethasone) which is safe for use at the delicate skin of groin rather than the one you were using earlier (clobetasol propionate).
Oral+topical treatment together should be continued for 4-6 weeks.
These are prescription medications. I suggest you to visit a dermatologist in your region for a visual assessment of the skin condition and appropriate prescription.
This discussion cannot be a means to prescribe medications.
I can only provide you guidance so that your treatment goes in the right direction and ultimately you are benefited.
Please go through the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
An OTC Oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily would help alleviate itching sensation.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Another question: Is there any way to bring back the skin color to normal?
Brief Answer:
Post-inflammtory hyperpigmentation would resolve gradually with time
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation/ dark skin is common after fungal infections and would gradually resolve. The goal should be to prevent a recurrence so that the pigmentation does not worsen further.
Once the active fungal infection resolves with treatment you may thereafter use an antifungal dusting powder e.g clotrimazole dusting powder, twice daily, regularly for maintenance of improvement and prevent a recurrence.
Regards
Post-inflammtory hyperpigmentation would resolve gradually with time
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation/ dark skin is common after fungal infections and would gradually resolve. The goal should be to prevent a recurrence so that the pigmentation does not worsen further.
Once the active fungal infection resolves with treatment you may thereafter use an antifungal dusting powder e.g clotrimazole dusting powder, twice daily, regularly for maintenance of improvement and prevent a recurrence.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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