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Antifungal creams are essential over-the-counter medications designed to combat fungal infections on the skin, such as athlete's foot, ringworm, and yeast infections. Besides alleviating symptoms associated with these fungal infections, they also eradicate the underlying fungal problem.
To assist you in making informed decisions, we have compiled some tips in a comprehensive buying guide. This guide features valuable insights and recommendations from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Meg Sison, as well as our top 10 list of antifungal creams you can get from Lazada, Shopee, and Watsons.
Dr. Sison is a board-certified dermatologist who practices in the Philippines and sees both medical and cosmetic dermatological cases on skin, hair, and nails.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Fungal infections can be caused by various types of fungi, like dermatophytes and yeast, which can be present in the environment, in the air, in soil, or on contaminated surfaces. Common fungal infections in humans include the following:
If you're unsure whether what you have is a fungal infection or a simple rash, do not hesitate to consult a board-certified dermatologist. This way, you can receive the correct diagnosis and the best treatment choice, including the type of antifungal cream you should use. By doing this, you can also avoid using an ineffective antifungal cream that can exacerbate the problem.
When choosing antifungal creams, it is recommended to consult a board-certified dermatologist for further evaluation to avoid misuse of these medications.
When choosing an antifungal cream, it's best to consider the active ingredients it contains. You must also ensure that it is FDA-approved. Knowing what to avoid can help as well to prevent irritation. Learn more about this below:
To ensure efficacy, it's best to look for proven antifungal ingredients typically found in various antifungal medications, both over-the-counter and prescription.
Azoles like Ketoconazole, Clotrimazole, and Bifonazole are commonly used to treat fungal infections. They interfere with the production of ergosterol, a component responsible for strengthening and stabilizing the fungal cell wall. This process eventually weakens and kills the fungal cells.
Azoles can be used to treat yeast infections.
Terbinafine belongs to a class of antifungals known as allylamines. They impede an enzyme called squalene epoxidase, which is vital for producing ergosterol that protects the fungal cell wall. As a result, the fungal cell walls weaken and get damaged, eventually eliminating the infection.
Using an antifungal cream with zinc oxide can be beneficial for fungal infections in the diaper area. It forms a protective barrier, combats inflammation, supports skin barrier repair, and manages moisture levels, which can help address diaper rash that may be influenced by fungal overgrowth.
Zinc oxide cream functions as a barrier cream, especially for patients with diaper dermatitis. They can be used with antifungal creams.
When choosing an antifungal cream, it's equally important to steer clear of ingredients that can potentially pose risks like dryness and irritation to your skin. Continue reading to get familiar with the components you may want to avoid in an antifungal cream.
While steroids can effectively address skin inflammation symptoms, they do not treat the underlying fungal infection itself. Worse, there are instances where steroids can mask the signs of a fungal infection, making it harder to diagnose. It is due to their ability to suppress the body's immune response and reduce inflammation, temporarily relieving symptoms like redness and itching.
However, because of this, the fungal infection may continue to spread beneath the surface, making the condition worse over time. With this said, if you're using an antifungal cream containing steroids, it's important that you do it under the guidance of a board-certified dermatologist.
They should not be applied to fungal infections because they can mask the infection making it harder to treat.
When choosing an antifungal cream, going for FDA-approved products is important. Having FDA approval is an excellent indicator that the product went through proper and adequate testing. It also assures you that it has met specific quality standards, which can give you confidence in the product's reliability and effectiveness.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | Details | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Key Ingredient | Strength | Application | Net Weight | ||||||
1 | Bayer Canesten Antifungal Cream | ₱141 Mid | Treats Alipunga, An-An, and Buni Without Any Restrictions | Clotrimazole | 1% | Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, Fungal Nappy Rash, Fungal Sweat Rash | 3g | ||
2 | GSK Lamisil AF Cream | ₱456 High Mid | A Terbinafine Cream for Bothersome Fungal Infections | Terbinafine | 1% | Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, Tinea or Fungal Infection of the Groin (Jock Itch), Tinea or Fungal Infection of the Scalp | 10g | ||
3 | Bayer CANESPRO® Bifonazole Antifungal Cream | ₱219 Mid | Addresses Itching and Targets the Root Cause of the Fungal Infection | Bifonazole | 1% | Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm, White Spots | 5g | ||
4 | Antila K-Zol Ketoconazole Antifungal Cream | ₱78 Low Mid | Affordable and Effective Formula to Combat Fungi Causing Infections | Ketoconazole | 2% | Fungal Infections, Dandruff, Seborrheic Dermatitis | 15g | ||
5 | Family Care Clotrimazole Antifungal Cream | ₱185 Mid | Helps Eliminate Recurring Fungal Infections | Clotrimazole | 1% | Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm | 28g | ||
6 | Johnson & Johnson Nizoral Cream|3.5g | ₱155 Mid | Combat Skin Fungal Infections With This Potent Ketoconazole Formula | Ketoconazole | 2% | Tinea infection (An-an), Ringworm (Buni), Athlete',s foot (Alipunga), and Jock itch (Hadhad or hulas) | 3.5g | ||
7 | Trosyd Dermal Antifungal Cream | ₱168 Mid | Kills Fungi and Relieves Irritation and Discomfort | Tioconazole | 1% | Tinea Versicolor (an-an), Althlete’s Foot (Alipunga), Jock Itch (Had-Had), and Ringworm (Buni) | 3.5g | ||
8 | Daktarin Miconazole Oral Gel | ₱281 High Mid | An Effective Solution Against Fungal Infections Around the Mouth, Throat, and GIT | Miconazole | 2% | Fungal Infections of the Mouth, Throat, and GIT | 3.5g | ||
9 | Desitin Maximum Strength Baby Diaper Rash Cream |113g | ₱690 High | Gives Babies Immediate Relief from Fungal Infections | Zinc Oxide | Not Specified | Diaper Rash | 113g | ||
10 | Dr. S. Wong Bioderm Ointment | ₱29 Low | Effective Ointment That Has Lightening Properties | Zinc oxide, Benzoic Acid, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid | Not Specified | Ringworm, Ezcema, Blackheads, Pimples, Furunculosis, Acne, Skin Itch, White Spots (Vinea Versicolor), Athletes Foot (Alipunga), Hand Itch, Boils (Pigsa), Barbers Itch, Insect Bites | 5g |
When it comes to antifungal creams, you can't leave out Canesten. This antifungal cream has been a household name for treating various skin fungal infections such as athlete's foot (alipunga), ringworm (buni), jock itch (hadhad) and Pityriasis versicolor (an-an). It contains clotrimazole, which works by inhibiting fungus growth to eventually disrupt the formation of fungal cells.
Several reviewers also attest to the efficacy of this product, saying it helped reduce the moisture and itchiness associated with the fungal infection. Just note that when using Canesten, you must apply it to the affected area 2 to 3 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks. You may feel some local irritation, but it can effectively restore the state of your skin afterward.
Key Ingredient | Clotrimazole |
---|---|
Strength | 1% |
Application | Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, Fungal Nappy Rash, Fungal Sweat Rash |
Net Weight | 3g |
Although fungi can grow all over your body, the feet are a primary target of fungal infections. Some of their best spots to grow and spread are the heel, between the toes, and under the toenails. Once you notice fungal infections on your feet, Lamisil Antifungal Cream can help.
This product is a terbinafine-based fungal cream that can combat infections caused by Trichophyton, Microsporum canis, and Epidermophyton floccosum, some examples of which are athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm. This cream can also treat yeast infections caused by the genus Candida. Just ensure that you clean and dry the infected area first before applying this cream to your skin.
Key Ingredient | Terbinafine |
---|---|
Strength | 1% |
Application | Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, Tinea or Fungal Infection of the Groin (Jock Itch), Tinea or Fungal Infection of the Scalp |
Net Weight | 10g |
Key Ingredient | Bifonazole |
---|---|
Strength | 1% |
Application | Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm, White Spots |
Net Weight | 5g |
K-zol Antifungal Cream is another trusted ally if you want to combat fungal infections. This cutting-edge cream brings innovation to the forefront, featuring a potent formula that contains Ketoconazole designed to effectively combat fungi and provide relief from its symptoms.
Not just limited to fungal infections, K-zol also goes above and beyond to address diverse skin issues that cause flaking of the skin, like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Even better, it comes at a very affordable price, and many reviewers attest to its efficacy.
Key Ingredient | Ketoconazole |
---|---|
Strength | 2% |
Application | Fungal Infections, Dandruff, Seborrheic Dermatitis |
Net Weight | 15g |
Most of the time, antifungal reactions do not recur once they have been treated. But if your infection tends to recur, you might want to try Family Care Clotrimazole Cream. This is a clotrimazole-based product that can cure numerous fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, ringworms, and jock itch.
Once you apply this cream to your infected skin, it can easily relieve itching, cracking, scaling, and burning of the skin. It is also convenient to use, as it is equipped with a non-stinging and grease-less formula. For ringworm infections, it is recommended to use this cream every day for four weeks. On the other hand, if jock itch is your concern, you must apply this product twice a day for two weeks. However, keep in mind that this product is ineffective in treating fungal infections on the scalp or nails.
Key Ingredient | Clotrimazole |
---|---|
Strength | 1% |
Application | Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, Ringworm |
Net Weight | 28g |
Most symptoms associated with fungal infections are redness, itching, and other relevant changes on the skin. Once you experience these, it can often hinder your daily movement. To eliminate the fungal infection on your skin quickly, you may want to opt for Nizoral Cream.
Through the potency of ketoconazole, Nizoral can easily treat tinea infection, ringworm, and jock itch without any issues. When applied to the affected area once a day, the cream can easily infiltrate the skin to eliminate the primary cause of the infection. However, if you have an athlete's foot, you may want to apply this cream twice a day to relieve itching symptoms, redness, skin irritation, and inflammation.
Key Ingredient | Ketoconazole |
---|---|
Strength | 2% |
Application | Tinea infection (An-an), Ringworm (Buni), Athlete',s foot (Alipunga), and Jock itch (Hadhad or hulas) |
Net Weight | 3.5g |
Key Ingredient | Tioconazole |
---|---|
Strength | 1% |
Application | Tinea Versicolor (an-an), Althlete’s Foot (Alipunga), Jock Itch (Had-Had), and Ringworm (Buni) |
Net Weight | 3.5g |
Key Ingredient | Miconazole |
---|---|
Strength | 2% |
Application | Fungal Infections of the Mouth, Throat, and GIT |
Net Weight | 3.5g |
Diaper rash is one of babies' most common skin issues, and this can easily lead to fungal disease if left untreated. Luckily, you can apply Desitin Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Paste to get ahead of this problem. It has a formulation that's perfectly safe for babies and children.
To heal the affected area quickly, this cream contains the maximum level of zinc oxide allowed without a prescription. Safe even for those with sensitive skin, it can effectively reduce irritation and redness and, at the same time, moisturize the skin to prevent any side effects. It can even generate a protective barrier between the skin and irritants.
Key Ingredient | Zinc Oxide |
---|---|
Strength | Not Specified |
Application | Diaper Rash |
Net Weight | 113g |
With benzoic acid and salicylic acid, this ointment will surely help heal and dry wounds. Benzoic acid prevents skin infections that you can get from bacteria, while salicylic acid has exfoliating properties that help your body shed rough or dead skin cells. The combination of these two will do wonders.
This product has germicide, fungicide, and parasiticide properties, so it can heal different types of wounds, including acne and pimples. It also has lightening properties, which help ensure that your wounds don't leave behind scars. Some users also mentioned that it provides a soothing menthol feel after application.
Key Ingredient | Zinc oxide, Benzoic Acid, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid |
---|---|
Strength | Not Specified |
Application | Ringworm, Ezcema, Blackheads, Pimples, Furunculosis, Acne, Skin Itch, White Spots (Vinea Versicolor), Athletes Foot (Alipunga), Hand Itch, Boils (Pigsa), Barbers Itch, Insect Bites |
Net Weight | 5g |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Dr. Meg Sison.
Topical antifungal creams are generally safe for pregnant and lactating mothers, but it is recommended to consult a board-certified dermatologist or OBGYN first for further evaluation.
The lesions should no longer increase in size and cause itching to the patient.
Our top 10 list features products intended mainly for fungal infections. However, if you need more options for other skin diseases and conditions, you can check out the links below.
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Bayer|Canesten Antifungal Cream
No. 2: GSK|Lamisil AF Cream
No. 3: Bayer|CANESPRO® Bifonazole Antifungal Cream
No. 4: Antila|K-Zol Ketoconazole Antifungal Cream
No. 5: Family Care|Clotrimazole Antifungal Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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