Antifungals are also called antifungals or antifungal agents and are used to combat fungal infections. In medicine, for example, different antifungals are divided with regard to their mechanisms of action.
What are antifungals?
Locally applicable antimycotics are applied, for example, in the form of ointments, tinctures or sprays and are used, for example, in the treatment of fungal infections that affect the skin. Some antifungals exert their antifungal effect by interfering with the fungus’ metabolic processes. Other antimycotics prevent the fungus to be combated from forming cell walls without restriction. In addition, some antimycotics are able to form pores in membranes of a fungus, which negatively affect the viability of the fungus. Antimycotics are further subdivided with respect to whether they kill fungi to be controlled or whether they merely inhibit their ability to multiply. Antifungal agents that kill fungi are also called fungicidal antifungal agents, while antifungal agents that inhibit reproduction are also called ‘fungistatic antifungal agents’.
Application, benefits, and use
To control fungal infections, antifungals are used locally (confined to the site of infection) or systemically (affecting the organism as a whole), depending on the form of infection. Locally applied antimycotics are applied, for example, in the form of ointments, tinctures, powders, nail polish or sprays and are used, for example, in the treatment of fungal infections affecting the skin, mucous membranes or nails. For example, topical antifungals are often used to treat mild to moderate forms of nail fungus (on fingernails or toenails). However, if a nail fungus is already advanced and takes on a severe form, combined therapy with systemic antifungals may be necessary. These antimycotics are administered in the form of tablets or juices, among others. The patient and the treating physician usually decide on the use of systemically acting antimycotics after weighing the medical benefits and possible side effects. Other fungal infections that can be treated with antimycotics include vaginal mycosis, inflammation of the oral mucosa caused by fungi, and diaper dermatitis (skin infections in the diaper area of infants). Locally applied antifungals against vaginal fungi can take the form of suppositories, while oral mucosal infections can be treated with antifungals in the form of oral gels. Internal organs can also be affected by fungal infections and are usually treated with systemic antifungals.
Herbal, natural, and pharmaceutical antifungal agents.
While antimycotics of various active ingredient complexes at the chemical-pharmaceutical level are used primarily within the framework of conventional medicine, naturopathy, among others, presents alternative methods for combating fungal infections. Thus a naturopathic alternative to the fight of potentially health-damaging intestine mushrooms with Antimykotika consists approximately of different behavior measures: Afterwards sugar and carbohydrate-free diets are to be accomplished by concerning for example, in order to withdraw the food basis from the intestine mushrooms. In addition, environmental toxins such as nicotine, insecticides (insecticide) or chlorinated water should be avoided. Instead of the chemical-pharmaceutical Antimykotika the naturopathy recommends the moreover forms of the intestine reorganization, thus for example the re-establishment of an intact Darmflora. The effectiveness of corresponding naturopathic procedures to combat fungi is considered controversial in medicine. In addition, the antimycotics administered within the framework of homeopathy differ from the chemical-pharmaceutical antimycotics. In many cases, homeopathic doctors advise against homeopathic treatment of fungal infections on one’s own, since homeopathic medicine is convinced that the remedies administered must be precisely tailored to the individual person and his or her body constitution. Just as the effectiveness of naturopathic remedies to combat fungal infections, the effectiveness of homeopathic antifungal agents is often considered scientifically unproven.
Risks and side effects
The use of antifungal agents to treat fungal infections may involve various risks and side effects.This applies not only to antimycotics on a chemical-pharmaceutical basis, but also, for example, to homeopathic antimycotics. For example, the German Central Association of Homeopathic Physicians (DZVhÄ) warns against possible severe, unwanted reactions that can last for several months when homeopathic antimycotics are used on their own. Depending on the active ingredient and form of chemical-pharmaceutical antimycotics, manufacturers advise against use during pregnancy and lactation, among other things. Doctors may also advise against the use of various antifungals in cases of intolerance, allergies or severe liver disease. Possible side effects of chemical-pharmaceutical antimycotics include headaches or nausea. Side effects of locally acting antifungals are usually localized.
