Home Symptoms Fungal infections (mycoses)

Fungal infections (mycoses) — what to take?

Cutaneous mycoses are fungal infections: tinea pedis (athlete's foot), tinea corporis (on the body), candidiasis (moist areas), pityriasis (hypopigmented patches), onychomycosis (nails).

Also known as: fungal infections skin fungus tinea pityriasis
5 recommended OTC medicines
8,928 pharmacies available

In short: Skin mycoses are fungal infections that take hold in the warm, moist areas of the skin — from athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and pityriasis patches to the thickened nails of onychomycosis. For mild forms, pharmacies stock over-the-counter antifungals such as terbinafine, clotrimazole, ketoconazole or miconazole cream, plus amorolfine nail lacquers; on HartaFarmacii you can compare their prices across Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet, with values updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation — see a doctor if the infection spreads, keeps coming back or reaches the nails.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What can you take for fungal infections (mycoses)?

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, see a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Extensive, recurrent infection
  • Onychomycosis (often requires oral treatment)
  • Immunocompromised (diabetes, corticosteroid therapy)
  • Lack of response to OTC treatment after 4 weeks
  • Inflammation, pain, discharge (suspected bacterial superinfection)

Common forms

Tinea pedis — athlete's foot, between the toes (maceration) or plantar (hyperkeratotic). Itching, scaling, fissures.

Tinea corporis — ring-shaped erythematous plaques, with an active border and a clear center, itchy.

Tinea cruris — the groin fold, more common in men.

Cutaneous candidiasis — skin folds (under the breasts, between the buttocks, groin) — red macerated plaques.

Onychomycosis — thickened, yellow, crumbly nails. Difficult and lengthy treatment.

Pityriasis versicolor — hypopigmented patches on the trunk, more visible in summer.

Topical OTC treatment

Clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, ketoconazole — creams, powder, spray. Apply 2x/day, 2-4 weeks (continue for 1 week after the visible lesion clears).

Terbinafine (Lamisil cream) — the most effective for tinea, healing in 1-2 weeks.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral cream/shampoo) — for pityriasis versicolor.

Powders — useful in moist areas (feet, groin) for prevention.

Onychomycosis

Topical treatment (lacquer with amorolfine — Loceryl, ciclopirox) — low efficacy (10-30%). Oral treatment (terbinafine, itraconazole — Rx) — more effective (60-80%), 3-6 months.

Preventive measures

  • Dry feet (especially between the toes).
  • Cotton socks, changed often.
  • Well-ventilated footwear.
  • Sandals in public showers, swimming pools.
  • Do not share footwear, towels.
  • Moisturize the body, but dry the skin-fold areas thoroughly.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for fungal infections (mycoses)

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Night-time, weekends, public holidays

24/7 pharmacies for fungal infections (mycoses)

Fungal infections (mycoses) doesn't keep office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 a.m. or at the weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter switched on and look for the nearest on-duty pharmacy. Large cities have dozens of pharmacies open around the clock — below you have direct access to the list for each city, with address, phone number and verified opening hours.

Call before you set off, especially at night — on-duty rotas change and stock of some prescription medicines can be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for fungal infections (mycoses)

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for fungal infections (mycoses)

Open the interactive map and allow location access — you will immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it is night or the weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-duty ones. For fungal infections (mycoses) many medicines are available over the counter, so you can go straight to the pharmacy without a prescription, but check availability on the price comparator first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active substance (for example paracetamol or ibuprofen), search for it in the comparator before you leave — you will see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it is in stock. If you have a repeat prescription, save your preferred pharmacy as a favourite in the app and turn on opening-hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially if treatment for fungal infections (mycoses) goes on for a while.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Itching

Itching (pruritus) is one of the most common dermatological problems. Causes: dry skin, allergies, dermatitis, systemic diseases (thyroid, liver, kidney).

 Symptom

Dry skin

Dry skin (xerosis) loses water and lipids, becoming rough, flaky, sometimes itchy, with a tendency toward eczema. Causes: winter, ageing, hot showers, genetics, illness.

 Condition

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with itching, dryness and recurrent eczema. It develops in the context of the atopic triad (asthma, allergic rhinitis). Onset is frequently in childhood.

Frequently asked questions

What else would you like to know?

The best OTC antifungal?
Terbinafine (Lamisil) — the most effective for tinea. Ketoconazole — for pityriasis versicolor. Clotrimazole — a safe choice for candidiasis.
How long should I apply the treatment?
2-4 weeks at minimum, continuing for 1 week after the lesion visibly clears. Stopping prematurely = recurrence.
Fungal nail — lacquer or pill?
The lacquer is an OTC option but has low efficacy. Oral treatment (Rx) is more effective but carries a liver risk — consult your doctor.
How do I prevent recurrence?
Keep your feet dry, change your socks daily, use antifungal powder preventively, wear sandals in moist public spaces.

See also

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