What is the primary treatment for fungal skin infections affecting hair and nails?

The primary treatment for fungal skin infections that involve hair and nails is oral antifungal medications such as terbinafine or itraconazole. These systemic agents are particularly effective for conditions like onychomycosis (fungal nail infections) and tinea capitis (scalp ringworm), where topical treatments may not penetrate deeply enough to eradicate the infection.

In these cases, oral treatment is preferred due to the ability of these medications to effectively reach the affected tissues and provide a more reliable eradication of the fungal organism. Terbinafine, a newer antifungal, is especially effective for dermatophyte infections. Itraconazole, while also an option, is used in cases where a broader antifungal spectrum is necessary or when there are specific contraindications to terbinafine.

Topical antifungals, while useful for superficial fungal infections of the skin, generally do not provide adequate treatment for infections affecting hair and nails. Systemic steroids do not address fungal infections and can even worsen them by suppressing the immune response. Antihistamines do not have any antifungal properties and are primarily used for allergic reactions or itching. Thus, the use of oral antifungals is the most effective and appropriate treatment strategy for these specific fungal