Final answer:
Tinea is treated with antifungal medications, such as terbinafine, miconazole, and clotrimazole, which can be applied topically or taken orally. These treatments target fungal cells that are more similar to human cells, so treatment options are specifically tailored to avoid harming the host.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment for tinea, which includes fungal infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm, involves the use of antifungal medications. These medications can be applied topically or taken orally. The common antifungal treatments for tinea are allylamine ointments such as terbinafine, as well as imidazoles like miconazole and clotrimazole. An oral option is griseofulvin. The effectiveness of these treatments varies based on the type of tinea and its location. Furthermore, it is important to note that unlike fighting bacterial infections with antibiotics, antifungals target fungi that share more similarities with human cells, which can limit the treatment options and require specific types of antifungal drugs.