Can Triamcinolone acetonide treat ringworm diseases? 

Can Triamcinolone acetonide treat ringworm diseases?

No, Triamcinolone acetonide can not treat ringworm diseases. Triamcinolone acetonide is a corticosteroid which can be used for skin rashes, but it does not work against ringworm (1). 

Ringworm is a fungus and it only responds to antifungal medications. No other medication can attack the fungus, except an antifungal agent. This is why you should not use Triamcinolone acetonide to treat ringworm. 

In fact, corticosteroids can make your fungal infection worse as these medications can reduce your immunity, which makes ringworm grow even more rapidly. 

You may find Triamcinolone combined with antifungal meds like Nystatin in a single formulation, but it should never be used alone. 

What medications treat ringworm? 

Ringworm diseases like Jock itch and Athlete’s foot can be managed by the following antifungal medications (2):

  • Terbinafine 
  • Miconazole 
  • Clotrimazole 
  • Ketoconazole 

If you think you have ringworm, talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will determine the best-suited antifungal medication for your condition and that’s the only medication you should take. 

Don’t ever start taking medications on your own, especially antimicrobials. Some of the antifungal topical preparations are available over the counter. 

If you can’t connect to your doctor at the moment, you can ask the designated pharmacist in your local pharmacy for an appropriate topical antifungal cream or ointment to apply on the affected area. 

How to know you have ringworm disease?

Ringworm diseases are commonly associated with the following signs and symptoms:

  • A red, scaly rash that may be itchy or painful. The rash often has a circular or oval shape and may have raised edges.
  • Ringworm on the scalp can cause patchy hair loss, leaving bald areas on the scalp. The affected skin may also be itchy, red, or scaly.
  • Brittle nails, which become thickened, discoloured, and brittle.
  • A red, itchy rash in the groin area, known as jock itch.
  • A rash on the feet, known as athlete’s foot. The affected skin may be red, itchy, and peeling.

The signs and symptoms may vary, depending on the area of your body affected by the fungi. It is important to consult your healthcare provider if your symptoms match the above-mentioned symptoms. 

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References

1.-

PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 6436, Triamcinolone Acetonide; [cited 2023 Jan 24]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Triamcinolone-Acetonide

2.-

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Treatment of Ringworm [Internet]. CDC; 2021 [cited 2023 Jan 24]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/treatment.html