What types of fungal infections are antifungals used for?

Antifungal agents are widely used to treat various infections caused by fungi. There are many types of fungal infections. The selection and use of antifungal agents vary depending on the location of the infection, the type of fungus, and the severity of the infection. Generally speaking, antifungal agents are mainly used to treat fungal infections of the skin, nails, mucous membranes, and deep organs.
Skin fungal infections are one of the most common types and are usually caused by dermatophytes. Dermatophytes are a type of fungus that can survive in the stratum corneum. Common infections include tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis, and tinea capitis. Antifungal agents have a good therapeutic effect on these infections. Topical antifungal drugs such as clotrimazole and itraconazole can effectively inhibit the growth of fungi, reduce inflammation, and restore skin health.
Nail fungal infections, medically known as onychomycosis, are caused by fungi invading the fingernails and toenails. Onychomycosis usually manifests as discoloration, thickening, or brittleness of the nails, and may even cause the nails to fall off. Due to the special structure of the nail, stronger antifungal drugs are required to treat onychomycosis. Some drugs, such as terbinafine and itraconazole, can be taken orally to treat onychomycosis. Although the treatment period is long, the effect is significant.
Mucosal fungal infections are common in the mouth, vagina, and gastrointestinal tract. The most common mucosal fungal infection is caused by Candida albicans, which is easy to multiply when the human immune system is weak, causing oral candidiasis or vaginal candidiasis. Antifungal agents such as fluconazole and nystatin are often used to treat these mucosal infections. Oral medications and topical ointments can effectively control and eliminate fungal infections and help restore the normal function of the mucosa.
Deep organ fungal infections are more complicated and usually occur in people with low immunity, such as AIDS patients and cancer treatment patients. Common deep fungal infections include pulmonary fungal infections and hematogenous disseminated fungal infections. The fungi that cause these infections include Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus. Such infections require stronger antifungal drugs, usually systemic treatments, such as fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B. Due to the severity and complexity of deep fungal infections, treatment plans usually need to be tailored to the type of pathogen, the patient's immune status, and the site of infection.
In addition, some antifungal agents are used to prevent fungal infections, especially in high-risk populations, such as patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy or patients after organ transplantation. These populations are susceptible to fungal infections due to their weak immune systems. Therefore, antifungal agents can be used as a preventive measure to help reduce the occurrence of fungal infections and protect the health of patients.