Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream

What is Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream and what is it used for?

Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream is a specially designed dual-action formula that contains two active ingredients clotrimazole, an antifungal agent and hydrocortisone acetate, a mild steroid to reduce infalmmation. It is an effective treatment for athlete's foot and fungal sweat rash when you are also experiencing swelling, itching and redness. In just a few days your skin will start to appear less angry and feel more comfortable.

This product is manufactured by Bayer and is available to purchase without a prescription in 15g tubes. Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream is suitable for adults and children over the age of 10 years to treat fungal infections on the skin.

How does Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream work?

Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream contains two active ingredient. Clotrimazole is an antifungal treatment that works by causing holes to appear in fungal cell membranes. This allows essential constituents of the fungal cells to leak out, which kills the fungi and clears up the infection.

Hydrocortisone 1% is a mild steroid that when applied to the skin reduces inflammation by preventing the skin cells from producing inflammatory chemicals called prostaglandins. By stopping prostaglandins being released in the skin, hydrocortisone reduces swelling, redness and itching.

Alteratives to Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream

If you are suffering from a fungal skin infection that is not accompanied by swelling, redness and itching a antifungal cream that does not contain hydrocortisone may be more suitable. Canesten 1% Cream or Daktarin Cream or Powder are just a few alternative available from The Independent Pharmacy. If you are experiencing internal or external thrush please see our Thrush Advice page for appropriate treatment options.

Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Do not use if any of the following apply:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• On any mucus membranes or on the anogenital regions
• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients found in Canesten Hydrocortisone
• If you have viral infections like shingles, cold sores, chickenpox
• If you are under 10 years old

Please read all packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

How to use Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream

Adults, including the elderly and children 10 years and over:

Apply twice a day to the affected area and gently rub the cream in. Wash your hands thoroughly after each application.

Do not use it for more than 7 days continuously.

Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream ingredients

The active ingredients contained in this medicine are: Clotrimazole 1% and Hydrocortisone 1%.

The medicine also contains the following inactive ingredients: Benzyl Alcohol, Cetostearyl Alcohol, Triceteareth-4-phosphate, Medium Chain Triglycerides and Purified Water.

Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take medication, however, if you do they can include:

1. Blisters
2. discomfort/pain
3. oedema/swelling
4. irritation
5. peeling/exfoliation
6. pruritus/rash
7. stinging/burning

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.