What is econazine cream used for?
Econazine cream is a medication that contains econazole nitrate and triamcinolone acetonide as the active ingredients. Econazole nitrate acts as an antifungal, while triamcinolone acetonide is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation. Econazine cream is used to treat a fungal infection of the skin. This medication is only meant for external use. Econazine is applied to the affected area a few times a day until the infection is cleared. The advice on dosage and duration of treatment will be given by the pharmacist. This medication does not require a physician’s prescription, however, you will need to fill in your details in the prescription book at the pharmacy. Econazine cream should not be used in viral skin infections.
The possible side effects are only local irritation and a burning sensation over the skin. Those who are allergic to econazole nitrate or triamcinolone acetonide should not use econazine cream. Syphilis skin infection and tuberculosis skin infection patients should not use this medication as treatment. Econazine is not suitable for treating both conditions. Please avoid any long term use and avoid getting it into your eyes. If your skin condition does not improve with this medication as advised by a doctor or pharmacist, please get advice from a dermatologist.
Fungal infection may affect your nails, hair, and skin. Dermatophyte is the major cause of fungal infection. Dermatophytes are a type of fungi with filaments and metabolize keratin which presents in our skin, hair, and nails. There are a few types of dermatophyte infections. They are Tinea corporis, Tinea pedis, Tinea cruris, Tinea capitis, and Tinea unguium. Other types of fungi are Candida albicans, Aspergillus, Candida neoformans, Histoplasma, and many more.
Tinea pedis or athlete’s foot is the most ordinary fungal infection caused by a dermatophyte. It usually takes place between your toes and it is generally accompanied by Tinea unguium, Tinea cruris, and tinea manuum. Tinea pedis often affect young men after the age of puberty. The common causative organisms for this condition are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, and Epidermophyton floccosum. People usually get the infection via direct contact with organisms. Walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces is the major risk factor for this condition. The clinical features are:
- Red and itchy scales or erosions
- Fissures between toes
- Vesicular lesions
- Bullous lesions
This condition is diagnosed by skin scrapings and tested with a potassium hydroxide solution to detect the presence of the causative organism. Gram staining is important if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected. The goals of treatment are:
- Relieve and reduce symptoms
- Reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infection
- Limit the contamination to other parts or other people
Topical antifungal is the treatment of choice. However, some patients may need oral antifungal. The example of topical antifungals are azoles, allylamines, butenafine, ciclopirox, tolnaftate, and amorolfine. Examples of oral antifungals are terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole.
Tinea corporis is a skin infection other than the feet, face, groin, or hand. The causative organisms are T. rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum canis, T. interdigitale, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton violaceum, and Microsporum audouinii. The clinical features are:
- Itchiness
- Redness
- Round or oval scaling patches or plaque
The test for the diagnosis of Tinea corporis is similar to Tinea pedis. This condition is highly curative with topical antifungals such as azoles, allylamines, butenafine, ciclopirox, and tolnaftate. Oral antifungal is the alternative if topical antifungal fails.
This condition is a dermatophyte infection of the crural fold. The causative organisms are T. rubrum, E. floccosum, and T. interdigital. The clinical feature is the presence of a red and elevated patch on the thigh. The diagnosis can be confirmed with the same test done for Tinea corporis and Tinea pedis. The treatment is similar to Tinea corporis.
