Ketoconazole can be used for which of the following conditions?

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication primarily used to treat fungal skin infections. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a crucial component of fungal cell membranes, thereby leading to cell death and resolving the infection. Conditions like athlete's foot, ringworm, and seborrheic dermatitis are examples of fungal skin infections that ketoconazole effectively treats.

Fungal infections are distinct from viral infections, which are caused by viruses such as the herpes virus. This distinction is important because ketoconazole specifically targets fungi and has no efficacy against viral pathogens like the herpes virus. Similarly, bacterial infections such as strep throat are treated with antibiotics, while blood clots require anticoagulants, neither of which would involve the use of an antifungal agent like ketoconazole.