Antifungal medicines are used to treat fungal infections.
Fungal infections
Fungi are plant-like organisms but, unlike plants, they cannot turn sunlight into food (photosynthesis). To feed, fungi have to break down living tissue instead, which includes human tissue.
Fungi that cause infections in humans are known as dermatophytes. Dermatophytes are particularly attracted to a type of tissue called keratin, which is a tough, waterproof tissue that can be found in many parts of the body such as in the:
- nails
- hair
- skin’s outer surface
This explains why fungal infections often occur on the skin, nails and scalp.
Common fungal infections
Antifungal medicines may be used to treat the following common fungal infections:
- ringworm – a skin infection that causes a ring-like red rash on the skin of the body or scalp
- athlete’s foot – an infection that affects the skin on the feet, causing it to become red, flaky and itchy
- fungal nail infection – a condition that causes the toenails or fingernails to become thickened and discoloured, and sometimes brittle, with pieces of nail breaking off
- vaginal thrush – a condition that causes irritation and swelling of the vagina and vulva (a woman’s external sexual organs)
Invasive fungal infections
Invasive fungal infections are a less common, but more serious, type of fungal infection. They are infections that occur deep inside the body’s tissue or in one of the organs, such as in the:
- brain – for example, fungal meningitis, where a fungus causes an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
- lungs – for example, aspergillosis, which is a lung infection that is caused by a fungal mould called aspergillus
People with a weakened immune system (the body’s natural defence system) are particularly vulnerable to invasive fungal infections. Those at risk include:
- people with HIV and AIDS
- people having high-dose chemotherapy to treat cancer
- people who are taking immunosuppresants – medicines to suppress the immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection and illness)
How it works
Antifungal medicines work by either:
- killing the fungal cells – for example, by affecting a substance in the cell wall, causing the contents of the cell to leak out and the cell to die
- preventing the fungal cells from growing and reproducing
Use in children
Some antifungal medicines can be used in children and babies. For example, miconazole can be used to treat oral thrush in babies who are four months old or over.
Check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine to see if it is suitable for children. Different doses may be needed for children of different ages.
