Answer :
For Luca's skin lesion, an antifungal medication such as terbinafine is suitable, and for his ear and throat symptoms, an antibiotic like amoxicillin may be necessary to treat the suspected bacterial infection.
Antifungal medication is the best choice in this scenario for treating the skin lesion. The description of the lesion as a red, raised border with active scale and central clearing is characteristic of a fungal infection, commonly known as ringworm. An appropriate choice of medication could be terbinafine, which belongs to the allylamine class of antifungal drugs. Terbinafine works by inhibiting the enzyme squalene epoxidase, which is part of the ergosterol synthesis pathway in fungi. This disruption in the pathway results in a deficiency of ergosterol, which is a vital component of fungal cell membranes, leading to cell death.
For Luca's ear pain and possible throat infection, his symptoms of fever, vomiting, and swelling and redness in the throat, including white patches, suggest a bacterial infection. Therefore, antibiotics may be warranted for Luca's condition. Given the symptoms and physical examination findings, an antibiotic like amoxicillin, which is a penicillin antibiotic, might be indicated. It functions by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls, leading to bacterial cell death. Luca's lack of known drug allergies and his clinical presentation make amoxicillin a reasonable first choice, typically prescribed for conditions such as otitis media and streptococcal pharyngitis.