Parasitic diseases can be acquired through contaminated food or wáter (such as fascioliasis or taeniasis), insect bites (such as malaria or sleeping sickness) or sexual contact (such as trichomonas), and can cause anything from mild discomfort to death. Physicians use the term “parasites” to refer to:

• Protozoa (such as amoebae), which consists of a single cell.
• Helminths (worm forms), which are larger and consist of many cells and have internal organs.

Parasitic infections occur mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, as well as in the absence of resources such as drinking water or lack of hygiene, and fecal-oral transmission is the most important route known so far in semi-rural areas and cities.

The treatment used against these parasites are metronidazole, albendazole, mebendazole, nitazoxanide, tinidazole and secnidazole.

The efficacy demonstrated by these drugs depends on the intestinal parasite to be eliminated and the dose used. Experimental studies carried out in Mexico report that it ranges between 80 and 95%. Liomont produces drugs to treat and cure different parasitic infections such as amebiasis and helmintiasis.

FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Mycosis is an infection produced by microscopic fungi. These infections can be localized in an organ such as the skin, or systemic when they affect internal tissues of the organism, such as the lungs.

The most common and least serious mycoses are superficial mycoses, which are located in the hair, nails, skin or mucous membranes. They are transmitted by contact with infected people or animals, or with objects used by them. Most of these mycoses produce very intense itching, but some go unnoticed and are only detected by small spots on the skin.

The most favorable environment for the proliferation of fungi is a warm and humid environment, so they have a higher incidence in summer.

We share some general information about the most frequent mycoses in humans:

• Tinea is a superficial mycosis caused by fungi called dermatophytes, which affect different parts of the body and can cause alterations of the skin and its annexes such as the hair, where it can cause areas of baldness.
• Tinea pedis athlete´s foot causes redness, vesicles and cracks in the areas between the toes, and may extend over the entire plantar surface.
• Nail mycoses called onychomycosis, whether on the hands or feet, can cause loss of the cuticle and destruction of the nail.
• Candidiasis caused by yeasts is also very common; vulvovaginal candidiasis, which causes increased secretion and intense itching or pruritus that is aggravated during urination or intercourse. Oral candidiasis, called thrush, which presents white plaques that are easily removed by scratching. Cutaneous candidiasis, which occurs in skin folds such as the axiliary or groin area, under the breasts or between the buttocks.
• Another peculiarity of mycoses is that they appear more easily after prolonged treatments with antibiotics or steroids, the latter used in chronic inflammatory diseases, so these patients will always be at risk of this type of infections.
• Other groups at higher risk of contracting micosis are people with diabetes, those suffering from obesity combined with lack of hygiene.

Superficial mycoses are treated by local application of fungicidal creams and lotions, but when the infection is extensive or resistant, it should be accompanied by oral antifungal treatment.

It is necessary to initiate an antifungal or antifungal treatment from the beginning of the disease to prevent its spread to more places. Liomont offers treatment alternatives with different routes or administration for the control of the most frequent superficial infections.