Clotrimazole for lichen for adults and children: use, effectiveness and reviews

The human skin is regularly exposed to external factors that provoke the appearance of defects: viruses, bacteria, thermal and chemical burns, mechanical damage. Internal changes in the body are dangerous; they affect the condition of the skin: weakened immunity, digestive problems, metabolic disorders. Ringworm is one of the manifestations of such influence. The term is a general term for several skin diseases that have similar symptoms and origins.

There are 7 types of lichen: pink, ringworm, tinea, cauliflower, red, scaly and asbestos. All are united by the presence of a rash on the human body, and the cause of its occurrence is different. The most dangerous and requiring immediate treatment are those caused by viruses. They spread quickly and take a long time to heal. Complete cleansing of the skin in advanced cases is impossible. The reason for this reaction is considered to be a weakened immune system. Treatment is aimed at strengthening the body's defenses, relieving unpleasant symptoms, and eliminating the irritant. It is carried out under the supervision of a doctor, with the selection of medication and an individual regimen. Below are effective and popular medications.

There are contraindications. Consult your doctor.

How to treat lichen: ointment, liniment or tablets

Name "lichen"

used to refer to various skin infections and diseases that are accompanied by the appearance of colored spots and peeling on the skin. The causative agents of lichen can be fungi and viruses. Their treatment will use various drugs - antifungal or antiviral.

The specificity of the treatment of fungal infections is that many pathogenic fungi are constantly present on human skin. In a healthy body they are controlled by local immunity. With a persistent decrease in immune forces, they become able to actively multiply and form foci of infection - spots.

Ringworm can also have an allergic cause. In this case, its treatment is complicated by general therapy of the body.

Treatment of fungal infections and lichens uses ointments, liniments and tablets. Ointments and liniments are preparations for external therapy . They contain antifungal components that limit the development of pathogens. To accelerate healing, additional wound-healing substances are also added to the ointments. As a result of treatment, the infection spots crust over, dry out and heal.

Also, antibacterial components can be added to the composition of ointments for lichen. Here is a list of ointments that pharmaceuticals produce as remedies for lichen.

Description and release forms

Clotrimazole is a synthetic medicine used against lichen and other fungal and bacterial diseases.

The composition of the drug includes:

• active substance of the same name – clotrimazole,
• auxiliary components (depending on the form of release of the product).

Additional components help disinfect the epithelium and ensure the penetration of the drug into the deep layers of skin tissue.

The drug is available in various forms:

1. Clotrimazole ointment is a 1% medicinal product containing 1 g of active substance per 10 g of the total weight of the ointment. It is produced in tubes mainly of 20 g, sometimes in 15 and 25 g.
2. Cream - the concentration of the active agent is the same as in the ointment, the only difference is in the additional components. Produced in packs of 20 g.
3. The solution is a 1% agent for external treatment of tissues, containing 1 ml of active substance in 10 mg of liquid. Available in 15 ml bottles with a dropper.

Most dosage forms of the drug cost around 100 rubles. The price of the solution is 200-250 rubles. In pharmacies you can also find gels, tablets and suppositories based on clotrimazole.

Name of ointments for lichen

Some names of ointments for lichen reflect the term for the active substance they contain (for example, Terbinox

and
Terbix
with the active ingredient
terbinafine
). However, most ointments have names that are completely incomprehensible from the point of view of the average person. We list the most popular antifungal ointments for lichen:

• Products containing miconazoles – Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Econazole, Oxiconazole . Works for any fungal skin infections. The group of miconaloses also includes ketoconazole, which is used externally and internally (this distinguishes it from other miconazoles).
• Products with ketoconazole - Nizoral, Mycozoral, Dermazol . They are used to treat fungal pityriasis versicolor.
• Products with triazoles - fluconazoles ( Diflucan ) and itraconazoles ( Orungal ) - are potent agents that are necessary in case of widespread infection.
• Products with naftifine - Exoderil, Mikoderil . Treat various fungal infections, tinea versicolor and ringworm.
• There are also several products containing terbinafine. This is Lamisil , as well as Terbix, Terbinox . The listed drugs treat various lichens (ringworm, multicolored, solar).

Now let’s give a description of the composition and action of some ointments.

Mechanism of action of antimycotics

How to treat pityriasis versicolor in humans? Of course, antifungal agents (antimycotics). To get rid of skin manifestations of tinea versicolor, first of all, external remedies are needed.

Let's look at how ointments for ringworm work. The active substance of antifungal ointments, gels, and solutions penetrates the loosened layer of dead cells of the stratum corneum of the skin and destroys parasitic fungi and mycelium threads. The mechanism of action of antimycotics is based on:

• destruction of the membranes (protective membranes) of fungal cells due to blocking the production of the main element of these membranes - ergosterol;
• stopping the supply of nutrients to skin cells necessary for the activity of Pityrpsporum orbiculare.

Thus, antimycotic ointments and gels destroy fungi, stop the spread of their colonies and quickly eliminate colored spots.

If the drug is chosen correctly, the dose and treatment regimen are developed taking into account the severity of the process and associated pathologies, then the signs of the disease begin to fade from the first days of use.

Clotrimazole - ointment for lichen and fungus

Clotrimazole is a compound that has been tested in the treatment of fungal skin infections for decades. Works against almost any fungal infection, including ringworm and pityriasis versicolor . Clotrimazole is popular as a treatment for athlete's foot. It destroys the fungal shell and thereby stops its development and further spread . The antifungal activity of Clotrimazole is used in the treatment of small lesions of ringworm. And also pityriasis versicolor.

The ointment is applied after washing the skin with soap and drying thoroughly. Apply a thin layer throughout the day – up to 4 times.

When treating a ringworm infection, Clotrimazole is prescribed together with a keratolic to burn out the fungus. Standard treatment is to alternately lubricate the lichen spots with iodine and Clotrimazole.

Note: treatment with Clotrimazole is quite long-term. It may take up to 2 months. Therefore, the drug is used for small foci of lichen lesions.

Clotrimazole is one of the most popular antifungal liniments. However, it has a high penetrating ability and is therefore contraindicated in pregnant women .

Effective drugs

Let's consider how to treat tinea versicolor on the skin in order to eliminate unpleasant-looking spots as quickly as possible. Dermatologists prescribe not only antifungal ointments for tinea versicolor in humans, but also other groups of medications in the form of creams, solutions, lotions and sprays that help get rid of the pathology.

Names and features of effective antifungal agents with different active ingredients

Separately, we should highlight a veterinary ointment with natural substances, which perfectly helps people suffering from dermatological diseases, including ringworm. This is the famous ointment Fungibak Yam, Yam1, Yam BK or simply Yam, which has a detrimental effect on fungi, bacteria, and parasites. Its composition includes only natural components: sulfur, zinc oxide, tar and salicylic acid. The ointment should not be used by people who are allergic to these substances or if there are abrasions or ulcers on the skin.

The spots are treated by applying the ointment with a cotton swab twice a day and leaving it on the skin for no longer than 5 minutes. Wash off with a cotton swab dipped in water or sunflower oil. After 7 days, if there are no manifestations of allergies, the ointment can be left on the spots for up to 10 minutes. Yam gives noticeable results already after 5-10 days of use.

Yam BK - ointment for people against lichen

Ointment Yam BK

– traditional ointment against ringworm for cats.
This drug from a veterinary pharmacy also effectively and safely treats ringworm in humans . It has a combined effect - it limits the spread of fungus and parasitic insects. Contains sulfur, salicylic acid, creolin, as well as tar, turpentine, zinc
.
The components of Yama Ointment effectively destroy fungus and mites that cause lichen spots and scabies. Using Yama BC Ointment has another advantage. The composition is characterized by low toxicity. It does not irritate the skin and is a low-hazard substance. Therefore, the use of Yama Ointment for lichen is permitted for adults and children . Its composition also treats dermatitis, eczema and other allergic manifestations on the skin of humans and animals.

Important: despite its low toxicity, the ointment should not be swallowed.

The composition has one drawback - a strong unpleasant odor. In contrast to this shortcoming, he displays an important virtue. It heals quite quickly. After just 6 or 7 days, the scabs fall off, revealing new pink skin underneath. Hair growth begins.

Yam ointment is applied to lichen spots 2 times a day, covering healthy skin around 2-3 cm.

Note: despite its veterinary purpose, Yam BK Ointment is one of the most popular ointments for ringworm in children and adults.

Ointments for herpes zoster

Shingles is a herpes infection caused by the herpes zoster virus. Therefore, the main treatment for this type of lichen is based on the use of various antiherpetic, antiviral ointments, creams, gels, and the doctor may also prescribe oral antiviral therapy.

Acyclovir

Acyclovir ointment exhibits high activity against the herpes virus pathogen. Active substances affect microorganisms.

Therapeutic effect:

• stops the appearance of new painful rashes;
• reduces the risk of visceral complications;
• promotes regeneration of damaged tissues;
• eliminates painful manifestations and sensations.

The ointment is applied to the affected areas of the skin 5 times a day for up to 10 days. The use of such an ointment for shingles reduces the risk of re-infection of the skin and contributes to the transition of virus activity to a latent state.

Vectavir

A product based on penciclovir. Suppresses viruses at the cellular DNA level.

Remains inside the cell for up to 12 hours, this leads to a complete blocking of the spread and development of the virus without affecting healthy cells. You need to be treated for 5 days every 2 hours. Do not use in childhood, pregnancy or allergies.

Gerpevir

Ointment based on the active ingredient acyclovir. Its use is recommended if Acyclovir has failed to cope with lichen. Use it 3 times a day for at least 7 days, as soon as the first symptoms of lichen appear.

After opening the bubbles, the dosage should be reduced. In case of severely weakened immunity, the dosage and duration of treatment are doubled.

Ointments for ringworm

If ringworm is ringworm, it appears on the skin as red, scaly spots. The hair inside the spots breaks off at the root, which is why the disease is called “ringing”.

For ringworm infections, external remedies are prescribed - antimycotic (antifungal) ointments . They destroy pathogenic fungus and limit its further spread on human (or animal) skin.

The duration of treatment for lichen with ointments may vary. It depends on the choice of drugs and on the extent of the spots on the skin. Can range from several days to several months.

Using drastic methods (burning it off with vinegar or other keratolytics) you can get rid of the infection in a few days. Traditional treatment lasts one to two months.

More often than others, Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Zinc and Sulfur ointments are prescribed in combination with treating the lichen spot with iodine and periodically scraping off the flaking skin inside the spot.

External treatment regimen

Treatment of ringworm with ointments is aimed at simultaneously destroying the fungus and accelerating the exfoliation of dead stratum corneum of the skin in the affected areas.

To achieve maximum results, it is best to treat tinea versicolor on the skin comprehensively, combining two types of medications. In addition to using antifungal ointments, which have a detrimental effect on the pathogen, it is advisable to smear the affected areas with keratolytic external preparations. Keratolytics are needed to soften and loosen the stratum corneum and accelerate the rejection of dead epidermal cells. In this case, the antifungal cream or ointment penetrates between the smallest scales of the skin.

Basic keratolytic agents: Salicylic alcohol 3-5%, Salicylic ointment, Resorcinol alcohol 5-10%, Sulfur-salicylic ointment and paste.

Any ointments, gels, creams are used strictly according to the instructions, depending on the severity of the manifestations of tinea versicolor, the frequency of relapses, and the age of the patient.

Basic treatment regimen

General treatment recommendations:

• alternately lubricating the affected areas with external antifungal agents and keratolytics 1-2 times a day;
• gently rubbing antimycotic ointments onto healthy skin 1-2 cm around the lichen spot;
• The duration of use for pityriasis versicolor is at least 2 weeks, optimally 4 weeks until the peeling disappears.

After the abnormal symptoms on the skin disappear, it is recommended to use the ointments for another 7-10 days to prevent the spots from reappearing. The spots will be visible for some time until a new layer of healthy skin grows.

If tinea versicolor affects the skin on the head under the hair, then shampoos containing antifungal substances are used instead of ointments. In addition, it is often on the scalp that the infectious focus of the pathogen usually remains, which leads to relapses of mycosis. Used: Sulsen Forte, Keto-plus, Mycozoral, Mikanisal, Nizoral, Perhotal, Sebozol.

Shampoos are used every day or every other day for 7-30 days, which is determined by the speed of recovery and the complete disappearance of flaky elements.

Keratolytics are not applied to the scalp due to their adverse effects on the hair.

Important principles of therapy:

1. It is not allowed to use antifungal agents on areas with ulcers, ulcers, or injuries.
2. Do not apply creams and ointments to large areas (especially for a long time), and also do not use compresses or apply under sealed bandages. Because of this, absorption and the degree of overall effect on the body increases.
3. Use soap only with a neutral or alkaline reaction.
4. After applying ointments, wash your hands to avoid contact with eyes and mouth. If this happens, rinse your mouth and rinse your eyes with plenty of clean water.
5. Nursing mothers should use antifungal agents (if permitted by a physician) only on small areas of the skin and for the shortest possible period.
6. It is not allowed to apply medications to the skin of the mammary glands if the mother is feeding the baby with breast milk.

Home medicine

As for folk recipes, they, as a rule, speed up the healing process and help with mild disease, but not always. The main thing is to consult a dermatologist so as not to make things worse.

If you constantly touch the spots, wet them with water or damage the skin in the inflamed area, this can cause seborrheic eczema and other similar diseases of the epidermis.

Among the main recipes:

1. Wipe stains with 3% vinegar up to 4 times a day.
2. Lotions with St. John's wort infusion. Infuse 20 g of dry St. John's wort in a glass of boiling water for about an hour. The strained liquid is used for daily lotions.
3. Grate the onion and garlic, squeeze it out and, after soaking a multi-layer bandage in the juice, apply the lotion to the stains twice a day for 10 minutes.
4. Salt. The finger is moistened with one’s own saliva and dipped in salt, then the lichen spots are rubbed. Sometimes this method helps after a single use. At the very least, salt perfectly disinfects the skin, suppressing harmful skin flora.

Ointment for red lichen

Lichen ruber often has an allergic origin. It occurs in adults due to decreased immunity (diabetes, stress, allergic reactions, the presence of foci of chronic infection in the body, as a reaction to certain medications).

Lichen ruber looks like raised skin lumps of red, pink, and purple shades. They appear on the arms, legs, groin and armpits and are itchy. And also on the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals. In the mouth, they often appear in the presence of metal dental crowns (also a factor in reducing oral immunity). Nails are also affected in 10% of cases.

Lichen planus is also called lichen planus or lichen planus.

Ringworm is often a chronic disease with periodic exacerbations. To relieve itching, antiallergic drugs and general strengthening agents - vitamins - are prescribed. Traditional ointments for ringworm are not used here . For severe painful manifestations of lichen planus, hormonal compounds are prescribed. Actovegin ointment is also sometimes used in the treatment of lichen planus (to improve tissue nutrition and strengthen local immunity) .

Why does lichen appear on the skin?

Ringworm has several types depending on the etiology of the disease. But there are several factors that can cause the occurrence of many types of lichen and other dermatological diseases:

1. Reduced level of immunity - frequent respiratory diseases, chronic and acute diseases of internal organs, autoimmune diseases.
2. Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules, using other people’s personal items: towel, underwear, comb, etc.
3. Contact with an infected person or animal;
4. Abuse of antibacterial agents / use of household chemicals without gloves - as a result, the barrier functions of the skin are disrupted;
5. Visiting public places - sauna, swimming pool, beauty salon, which do not comply with sanitary rules. Be sure to ask the establishment administrator about this;
6. Frequent injuries. In case of injuries, wounds should be treated with antiseptic solutions;
7. Wearing clothes made of synthetic fabrics.

Reasons for the development of different types of lichen:

1. Pityriasis rosea (Zhiber's pityriasis) is often one of the manifestations of allergies; this type is not contagious. May occur after illness or due to severe stress;
2. Ringworm is an infectious disease caused by fungi; infection often occurs through interaction with stray animals or an infected person.
3. Lichen planus - no specific source of the disease has been identified, appears due to a combination of factors, reduced immunity, long-term use of strong medications and untreated acute diseases.
4. Shingles - caused by the herpes virus, against the background of a low level of immunity. The disease is contagious.
5. Pityriasis versicolor - the disease has a fungal etiology and develops in the hot season or in a tropical climate.

Pityriasis rosea - how to treat: ointments

Pityriasis rosea is a type of skin spots that also appear when the immune system is weakened. Often accompanied by ARVI, skin damage, insect bites, and may appear after vaccination.

Pityriasis rosea appears as round, pink plaques . As the fungus develops, they can change color, become brown, yellowish, or become covered with scales. More often the spots are localized on the torso, less often on the limbs.

Since the origin of the disease is unclear, there is no specific ointment for pityriasis rosea. Traditionally, doctors prescribe antipruritic and antiallergic drugs, and sometimes hormonal ointments (Hydrocortisone) . However, they can only be used if the pain is very strong. If the rashes do not bother you, it is enough to treat them with vegetable oils. After 1.5 - 2 months they will go away on their own.

Note: prescribed for severe painful manifestations of pityriasis rosea - treatment with Sangviritrin ointment (combines bactericidal and antimicrobial effects).

Pityriasis versicolor: ointment for treatment

This infection is called "solar"

depriving.
It appears as round red-brown spots. Their localization is the torso and places of frequent sweating (in the groin, in women - under the breasts). As the disease progresses, the surface of the spots begins to peel off (due to the fungus loosening the upper layer of the epidermis). Characteristic feature of the disease. When iodine stains are applied to the surface, they acquire a brownish-brown color .
The fungal infection is transmitted through close bodily contact and through clothing. However, it is important to know that the causative agent of pityriasis versicolor is part of the normal microflora of the skin. It is constantly present in a person, and begins to develop under the influence of factors that contribute to it. Namely - with endocrine disorders, hormonal imbalance, diabetes, pregnancy, and also with too much tanning. The causative agent of the infection, a fungus, disrupts the production of melanin in the skin. (less tanned, lighter) appear on the human torso

Pityriasis versicolor spots can have a wide range of colors (from yellow to pink-red). Therefore, these rashes are also called “multi-colored”

depriving.

Anti-lichen ointment should contain antifungal components. To suppress the growth of fungi, ointments with fluconazole, ketoconazole, bifonazole, flutrimazole, naftifine, terbinafine are used . If lichen versicolor appears on the scalp, then special shampoos are used that contain an antifungal component.

In case of frequent relapses, internal administration of general antifungal drugs is prescribed.

Note: Pityriasis versicolor forms spots around the hair follicles. The fungus can persist for a long time in hair follicles and sweat glands. Therefore, often only external treatment of pityriasis versicolor is ineffective.

Ointment for pityriasis versicolor is supplemented with exfoliating agents. This can be salicylic acid, salicylic alcohol or tincture of brown iodine in alcohol.

Pharmacological properties and indications

Clotrimazole acts on the membrane of fungal organisms and disrupts the course of natural biological processes inside pathogens. It helps:

• reduce the rate of development of fungal infection,
• eliminate the symptoms of skin disease,
• improve the healing of damaged tissue areas.

The drug also has an antibacterial and disinfecting effect.

The following are sensitive to the active component of the drug:

• the causative agent of pityriasis versicolor - Pityriasis versicolor,
• yeast mushrooms,
• molds,
• dermatophytes,
• causative agent of erythrasma,
• staphylococci,
• streptococci,
• gram-negative bacteria - Bacteroides, Gardnerella vaginalis,
• Trichomonas vaginalis,
• Corinebacterium minussimum.

Infection of the skin and mucous membranes by the listed pathogenic organisms is effectively eliminated during treatment with drugs containing clotrimazole.

The lack of positive results during therapy may be due to an incorrect diagnosis. For example, herpes zoster, which is caused by the varicella zoster virus, is not among the infections susceptible to Clotrimazole.

Ringworm ointment for children: what is possible

Pediatric treatment places increased demands on the choice of medications. Not every ointment that is used to treat an adult can be used to treat a child . In pediatric dermatology, medications are prescribed in which the main active ingredients are proven and safe substances. What is used to treat lichen in children?

Proven substances: sulfur, tar, iodine and salicylic acid . They combine antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Important: do not use more than 5% concentrations of salicylic acid to treat children. Also, this component is not used in children with extensive lichen (if applied to large areas of skin, poisoning is possible).

Side effects and contraindications

The drug does not have a very large list of contraindications:

• hypersensitivity to the active substance and auxiliary components of the drug,
• pregnancy,
• breast-feeding.

To check the presence or absence of an allergic reaction, it is recommended to conduct a test during which a small amount of ointment is applied to the skin. If no redness or other signs of allergy are noticed within 2 hours, the medicine can be used for lichen and other fungal and bacterial diseases.

In case of violation of instructions or overdose, the following side effects may occur:

• skin rashes,
• burning, itching,
• swelling,
• discomfort during urination,
• headache, vomiting, nausea (if ingested).

In case of accidental ingestion of the medicine into the body, it is necessary to perform gastric lavage.

If severe side effects occur during external use, you should consult your doctor to replace the medicine with an analogue or reduce the dosage.

Reviews

Natalya, 30 years old, Rostov-on-Don
The best ointment for ringworm on the body is Clotrimazole. Salicylic ointment is a remedy for burning out warts and ringworm. I was advised to lubricate her lichen spot alternately with Miconazole.

Alexander, 33 years old, Gukovo Clotrimazole ointment is a remedy for the treatment of mycosis of the feet. It helps with lichen, but it takes a long time. Treatment lasts more than a month. There is a proven fast-acting remedy - vinegar. Apply only lichen spots. Ringworm can be cured with two applications. And the traditional methods are to smear it, then peel it off, and so on for a month.

Veronica, Trans-Volga region I was prescribed iodine and Clotrimazole, cured lichen in 3 weeks.

Galina, 40 years old, St. Petersburg She was treated for lichen with ointments for 3 months. And even if you crack. I had to take pills.