Infections

Available treatment options

We have a wide array of treatments tailored to specific pathogens. For bacterial infections, oral antibiotics like Doxycycline and Ciprofloxacin are highly effective for systemic or respiratory issues.

For topical bacterial infections, I frequently prescribe Fucidin or Bactroban , which target the skin and nasal passages directly. Eye infections often respond beautifully to Azyter drops, while ear or localized skin issues might require Gentamicin .

For fungal infections, oral Fluconazole (often branded as Diflucan ) works systemically, while topical Nystatin is excellent for localized yeast. Viral outbreaks, such as cold sores or shingles, require antivirals; Aciclovir tablets treat the infection from the inside out, whereas Aciclovir Cream is useful for localized surface sores.

Acne and rosacea, which involve bacterial overgrowth and inflammation, are often managed with specialized treatments like Duac, Clindamycin, Metrogel, or low-dose oral Efracea. For travel to malaria-endemic zones, Atovaquone/Proguanil is my go-to preventative medication.

Sometimes, we need to treat infection and inflammation simultaneously. In these cases, combination steroid creams are invaluable. I often prescribe Timodine , Trimovate Cream , Terra-Cortril , or Dermovate-NN .

A clinical pearl: I highly recommend Timodine for stubborn sweat-rashes in skin folds (like under the breasts or groin), as it tackles the fungus, the bacteria, and the severe chafing inflammation all at once—something single-agent creams fail to do.

Finally, for parasitic infections like threadworms, a simple dose of Vermox is highly effective.

What to expect from treatment

Patients often experience what I call the "day three dip." Around 48 to 72 hours into taking strong antibiotics or antivirals, you might actually feel a bit more tired or achy.

This is completely normal; it is often your body's inflammatory response to clearing out the dead pathogens. By day four, you should see a rapid improvement. With topical creams, itching usually subsides within 48 hours, but visible redness can take a week to fully fade.

Self-care and prevention

Medication is only half the battle; your environment matters immensely. For patients suffering from recurrent fungal infections, like thrush or athlete's foot, I advise them to iron their underwear and towels.

Washing at 40 degrees does not always kill resilient fungal spores, but the direct heat of a hot iron destroys them instantly, breaking the cycle of reinfection. Additionally, always allow your skin to dry completely—using a cool hairdryer on damp skin folds after a shower is a game-changer for preventing fungal overgrowth.