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What Are the Treatments for Face Fungus?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Face fungus is often treatable with antifungal creams, though the effectiveness of the treatment depends on the type of fungus that has caused the infection. A minor fungal infection may respond to over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams while more severe or persistent face fungus will likely require the use of a prescription antifungal cream or lotion. In the event that a person has a case that is less likely to respond to topical treatment, a doctor may prescribe oral medications instead.

An individual may first try topical antifungal agents for treating face fungus. If a person has a minor case, he can attempt to treat it at home with OTC antifungal creams and lotions. Often, these products have an active ingredient such as miconazole, terbinafine, or clotrimazole. Usually, the instructions for these products require a person to apply the cream or lotion to the affected area of the skin once or twice daily. If the individual does not see improvement after the number of days listed in the instructions, he may do well to seek the evaluation and treatment of a doctor.

A doctor may be required to treat a severe case of facial fungus.
A doctor may be required to treat a severe case of facial fungus.

If an individual has a severe case of facial fungus, he may benefit from seeing a doctor right away rather than attempting to treat it on his own. A doctor can prescribe a topical antifungal treatment that is stronger than those available over the counter and more likely to clear the infection completely and quickly. Likewise, a doctor can determine the specific type of fungus involved and know the particular antifungal agent that is most likely to work — something a patient isn't likely to be able to do on his own at home. This is an important consideration, as various types of fungus can affect the skin.

An antifungal cream, which can be used to treat face fungus.
An antifungal cream, which can be used to treat face fungus.

Sometimes a doctor may decide that a case of face fungus is better served by an oral medication instead of a topical treatment. Usually, oral antifungal agents are much more potent than creams and lotions. As such, they may be more effective. Unfortunately, oral medications are more likely to cause unpleasant side effects than topical treatment options.

Antifungal creams for fungus on the face may include clotrimazole, miconazole or terbinafine.
Antifungal creams for fungus on the face may include clotrimazole, miconazole or terbinafine.

Prevention of this sort of infection is generally desirable over having to treat it. This type of infection is preventable by practicing good hygiene and keeping one’s immune system healthy. Hand-washing is particularly important if an individual has been in the presence of a person or animal who has a fungal infection.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

literally45

Is it possible to treat a fungal face rash with herbal remedies? I've heard that tea tree oil has anti-fungal properties. Can I use diluted tea tree oil for example?

donasmrs

@MikeMason-- I don't know how long it takes for anti-fungal creams to work. So you should ask your doctor about that. But if a prescription anti-fungal cream isn't working, I doubt that an over the counter one will. You will probably need an oral anti-fungal medication.

By the way, if you did indeed get the skin fungus from your cat, which is possible, you need to have him treated by a vet as well. Otherwise, you will just get the infection again. Both of you need to be treated at the same time.

stoneMason

I have white spots on my skin. My arms and my face are covered in them. My doctor diagnosed it as a fungal infection and gave me an anti-fungal cream but I don't think it's working. It's been more than a week and there has been no change. What is the best anti-fungal cream? Should I try something over the counter?

I think I got the infection from my cat because he has had fungal infections before.

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    • A doctor may be required to treat a severe case of facial fungus.
      By: sepy
      A doctor may be required to treat a severe case of facial fungus.
    • An antifungal cream, which can be used to treat face fungus.
      By: picsfive
      An antifungal cream, which can be used to treat face fungus.
    • Antifungal creams for fungus on the face may include clotrimazole, miconazole or terbinafine.
      By: agephotography
      Antifungal creams for fungus on the face may include clotrimazole, miconazole or terbinafine.
    • Over-the-counter antifungal creams can be purchased from a local pharmacy.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Over-the-counter antifungal creams can be purchased from a local pharmacy.
    • Minor cases of face fungus can be treated at home.
      By: Konstantin Yuganov
      Minor cases of face fungus can be treated at home.