From the Research
For antifungal facial cream treatment, I recommend using sertaconazole 2% cream, as it has been shown to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for moderate to severe facial seborrheic dermatitis, with a high level of satisfaction (87.6%) after 28 days of treatment 1. Apply a thin layer to affected areas twice daily for 2-4 weeks, continuing for at least one week after symptoms resolve to prevent recurrence. When applying, first wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry, then apply the cream to clean skin, avoiding the eyes and mouth. These medications work by disrupting the fungal cell membrane, preventing growth and reproduction of the fungus. Common facial fungal infections include tinea faciei (ringworm) and seborrheic dermatitis, which typically present as red, scaly patches with defined borders or itchy, flaky skin. Some key points to consider when choosing an antifungal cream include:
- The type of fungal infection: different creams may be more effective for different types of infections
- The severity of the infection: more severe infections may require prescription-strength options
- The patient's medical history and current medications: some creams may interact with other medications or exacerbate certain medical conditions If symptoms worsen or don't improve after two weeks of treatment, consult a healthcare provider as you may need oral antifungals or a different diagnosis. It's also important to note that while other options like clotrimazole 1% (Lotrimin), miconazole 2% (Micatin), or ketoconazole 2% (Nizoral) cream are available, sertaconazole 2% cream has been shown to be a more effective treatment for seborrheic dermatitis in a double-blind study 1. Additionally, it's worth considering that some studies have shown limited effectiveness of oral antifungal drugs in the treatment of dermatophytic infections, highlighting the importance of topical treatments like sertaconazole 2% cream 2.