Antimycotics are drugs that are used for infections with human pathogenic fungi (mycoses). The group of active ingredients of antimycotics includes active ingredients that are used to treat infections with human pathogenic fungi (mycoses). They are classified as systemic or topical active ingredients. Topical (applied directly to the affected area) antifungal agents are used locally. The medication is applied to the affected areas of the body in the form of ointment, cream, spray or nail polish. Systemic preparations are taken by mouth (in the form of tablets, juice) or injected directly into the blood vessels. Here the product works throughout the body. They are usually used for internal fungal infections that affect the liver, brain, intestines or lungs, for example. However, there is also the possibility that a skin fungus/nail fungus does not respond to local treatment or spreads further. These preparations would also be used here. Antifungal agents are used for specific types of fungi (narrow-spectrum antimycotics) or several different fungi (broad-spectrum antimycotics). The correct use of an antifungal agent depends on various factors, such as the form (ointment, tablets), the type and severity of the infection. It is important to use it correctly, as described by your doctor or the package insert. Antimycotics are medications used for fungal infections. Common fungal infections are general skin fungi, foot and nail fungus, vaginal fungus or other fungal infections in the genital area. Internal organs can also be affected. An antimycotic agent can be administered as a tablet or directly as an ointment, cream or varnish to be applied to the infected areas of the body. Undesirable side effects include gastrointestinal complaints when used internally and allergic reactions when used internally or externally. There are around 100 different types of fungi, which can be divided into 3 groups. In principle, fungi also live on a healthy body, but if they get out of hand, they can lead to illness. The respective groups of fungi lead to different infections: Yeast fungi: These are fungi of the Candida genus, such as Candida albicans. 90% of all fungal infections of the vagina and intestines, as well as oral thrush, can be traced back to this type of fungus. Dermatophytes: Infect the skin and parts of the skin. These include foot and nail fungus. Mold fungi: Can affect the skin and nails, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and nervous system. Fungi have structures similar to human cells. It is therefore important that antimycotics primarily attack the structures that are different from human structures. Antimycotics usually act on components of the cell membrane of the fungus. This is a protective layer of cells that surrounds the fungus and does not occur in the human body. There is therefore no risk of the antimycotic attacking the body's own structures. One example of this is the inhibition of ergosterol production. Ergosterol is a specific component of the fungal membrane and is responsible for stabilizing it. Some chemical compounds found in antimycotics, such as azoles or thiocarbanates, inhibit the production of ergosterol. Allylamines, including terbinafine or naftifine, on the other hand, act on the formation of ergosterol precursors. The antimycotic ciclopirox, on the other hand, inhibits the function of enzymes that are important for the production of cell components.