In addition to keeping the above items clean, it’s a smart idea to clean areas like bathtubs, showers, bathroom floors, sinks and counters with a solution of chlorine bleach and water. Chlorine bleach is a disinfectant that kills mold. This will again lessen the chance for reoccurrence of an infection, which is the ultimate goal. Wash and dry the infected area of skin. If you're treating your feet, make sure you dry between your toes. Diaper rash is often caused by a fungal infection and can be treated effectively and safely using clotrimazole. For treating small areas of skin, you can use the cream instead. Put the cream on once or twice a day for 2 to 3 weeks.

Have you been on a prescribed course of antibiotics lately? Antibiotics can sometimes produce the unwanted result of wiping out certain beneficial bacteria in your system. These bacteria help keep your system in balance and can prevent the spread of unwanted organisms like fungi. If you are currently taking antibiotics and you’ve recently developed a fungal infection, talk to your doctor about possible changes in medication. Amorolfine is used to treat fungal nail infections. “It works by stopping ergosterol from being produced, which is a chemical fungus that causes nail infections,” says Hussain. “Using an amorolfine cream helps to kill the infection, and allows healthy nails to grow instead.” Dandruff is often caused by seborrhoeic dermatitis (aka cradle cap in babies), caused by malassezia yeast. Most people experience at least one fungal condition at some point in their lives,” says Hussain Abdeh, superintendent pharmacist at Medicine Direct. “Some people are at a greater risk of getting fungal infections than others, such as if you are taking antibiotics or if you have a weakened immune system. Diabetics are also more prone to them. Most of these conditions are not serious or a cause for concern, but they should be treated swiftly.” The fungus that causes ringworm is highly contagious, so be careful with items such as towels, clothes or hair brushes. If, for example, a brush was used when scalp ringworm was still active, it could cause a new breakout. During the course of treating a fungal infection, it’s best not to reuse such items without sterilizing and cleaning them first.

If your symptoms tend to return in sunlight, use the shampoo once a day for up to 3 days before going out in the sun. READ NEXT: The best athlete’s foot treatment to buy The best creams for fungal infections in 2023 1. Lamisil AT Cream: Best cream to clear up fungal infections fast If you forget to use your ketoconazole cream or shampoo, just skip the missed dose and then keep to your usual routine. What if I use too much? Leave the shampoo on for 3 to 5 minutes, then wash it off with water. Try not to get the shampoo into your eyes or mouth. If it gets into your eyes or mouth, rinse them with water.

Fungal nail infections start in the skin beneath the toenails, the perfect breeding ground for out-of-control bodily fungi. See our article on best fungal nail treatments. You can usually use ketoconazole cream again if it worked well before and as long as the infection is mild and has not spread. Pityriasis versicolor If your symptoms tend to return in sunlight, use the shampoo once a day for up to 3 days before going out in the sun. How to use ketoconazole cream Doctors recommend that you wash and clean areas affected by fungal infections regularly. Some products tap into the power of natural ingredients that can help soothe skin. Used in conjunction with topical creams, this body wash can provide an extra level of defense against the infection.

4. How and when to use ketoconazole

Fungi grow best in warm, damp environments; therefore, it’s important to keep infected areas as dry as possible to help combat fungi and prevent reoccurrence. This can be a challenge though, especially for those with an active lifestyle. If this is a concern, take a look at Triple Paste’s AF Antifungal Nitrate Medicated Ointment. Their waterproof formula helps the cream to stay in place and prevents sweat from dissolving it, which can be a big help if you want to apply it before a workout. Gently rub the cream into the infected area and surrounding skin. You'll usually need a small amount, depending on the size of the area you're treating. Be careful not to let the cream get into your eyes or mouth. If it does get into your eyes or mouth, rinse them with water. Fungi are some of the most resilient organisms in the world and can live in the air, soil and water. Unfortunately, harmful fungi can also live on the human body and cause some common infections. Left untreated, these infections can often worsen and remain for a prolonged period of time. The good news is there are currently a variety of different products available to help combat these unwanted intruders. Kristin Forte/Simplemost Media

Use the cream once or twice a day on the infected skin and surrounding area. For athlete's foot, you need to use it twice a day regularly. Also be aware that certain medications can be more effective for treating particular types of fungi. For example, studies have shown that terbinafine is highly effective for treating athlete’s foot. Lamisil’s AT Cream was specifically designed to treat athlete’s foot by including terbinafine as an active ingredient. Different fungi, in different parts of the body, trigger fungal infections with different symptoms and different names. What they all have in common is that they can be treated using similar antifungal medicines, which we’ll list in a moment. If you're using any other creams, ointments or lotions on the same area of skin, do not put them on at the same time as ketoconazole cream. After putting on the ketoconazole cream, wait 30 minutes before you use different products on the same area. This gives the ketoconazole time to be absorbed into your skin. How to use ketoconazole shampooNappy rash can become infected by candida yeast, resulting in a fungal nappy rash. It’s best treated with a gentle antifungal such as Clotrimazole 1% cream. If you are looking for an all-natural balm for treatment, go with a product that offers ingredients such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and lavender oil. These all-natural products can also be excellent options for ongoing skin care routines. Sweat rash (intertrigo) is also caused by candida yeast, this time in areas where the skin gets sweaty and rubs together, such as your armpits. It can be quite sore, so it’s worth treating with an antifungal treatment which also contains an anti-inflammatory pain-killer, such as Daktakort Hydrocortisone. Clip toenails short to prevent possible infection, but not too short. A good rule of thumb (or toe in this case) is to cut the nail straight across so the edge reaches the tip of your toe.

The chance for contracting a fungal infection increases as the temperature rises. Fungi grow more rapidly in warmer environments, so make sure to limit the amount of time spent lounging in wet bathing suits or workout clothes. Clotrimazole is not powerful enough to treat fungal nail infections or to clear painful and inflamed pityriasis. And if you want fast results, opt for Lamisil. But this safe and soothing cream is a brilliant standby for the bathroom cabinet. Wash your hands afterwards. This stops you spreading the infection to other parts of your body or other people. Thrush is a candida yeast infection that affects the mucosal membranes inside the vagina and sometimes even the mouth. See our article on best thrush treatments.