For which type of infection is nystatin mainly used?

Nystatin is primarily utilized for the treatment of candidal infections, which are caused by Candida species, a type of yeast. This antifungal agent is particularly effective against superficial fungal infections in mucosal areas, such as oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections. Nystatin works by binding to sterols in the fungal cell membrane, causing increased permeability and ultimately leading to cellular death.

In contrast, other types of infections, such as bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, are not treated with nystatin. Bacterial infections are managed with antibiotics, viral infections with antiviral medications, and parasitic infections with antiparasitics. Therefore, nystatin's specificity for Candida species makes it the choice for treating candidal infections.