Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream is used to treat fungal skin infections with additional symptoms of inflammation such as swelling, redness, and itching. For example, it is suitable for treating thrush, nappy rash, intertrigo, ringworm, and athlete's foot. The active substances in Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream are clotrimazole and hydrocortisone acetate.

Key features:

• Treats fungal infections
• Contains clotrimazole and hydrocortisone acetate
• Treats the infection and reduces itchiness

What is the active ingredient and how does it work?

The active ingredients in Canesten HC Cream are clotrimazole and hydrocortisone acetate. Clotrimazole, an imidazole, eradicates fungi and certain bacteria causing skin infections. Hydrocortisone acetate, a mild steroid, alleviates swelling, redness, and itching associated with skin inflammation. Together, these substances effectively treat fungal skin infections and their accompanying symptoms.

What symptoms or conditions can be treated with this product?

Canesten HC Cream effectively treats fungal skin infections accompanied by inflammation symptoms such as swelling, redness, and itching. Conditions addressed include vulva or penis infections caused by thrush, nappy rash, intertrigo (fungal infection of the breast fold), ringworm, and athlete's foot

What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that causes scaly rash that may itch, sting or burn. Athlete's foot can affect one or both feet. Common symptoms are scaly, peeling or cracked skin between the toes.

What is intertrigo?

Intertrigo is a term for a rash that shows up between the folds of skin. It is a very common skin rash that usually is caused by skin rubbing against itself. The most common areas affected include larger skin-fold areas such as:

• Armpits
• Beneath the breasts
• Genital area
• Abdomen

Each gram of cream contains 10mg Clotrimazole and 11.2mg Hydrocortisone Acetate (equivalent to 10mg Hydrocortisone)

Adults, elderly and children aged 10 years and over

Canesten Hydrocortisone should be thinly and evenly applied to the affected area twice daily and rubbed in gently. The maximum period of treatment is seven days.

A total daily dose of 10mg cream per kg body weight should not be exceeded. For an adult weighing 50kg the maximum daily dose is 500mg cream which equals approximately 2cm of cream to be divided into 2 applications per day.

Treatment duration:

If the acute symptoms have subsided after about 7 days but treatment is still required, this may be carried out with the corticoid-free preparation intended for this purpose.

Canesten hydrocortisone cream is for external use only. It should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s).

Do not apply to broken skin. The cream should not be used to treat large areas of skin.

Avoid getting the cream in the eyes, mouth or nose. Wash your hands after applying it.

The treated area(s) of skin should not be covered with airtight dressings, as this will increase the absorption of hydrocortisone into the body, which could increase the risk of local side effects such as skin thinning (see below). You should only use airtight dressings over the affected area if instructed to by your doctor.

The cream should not be used to treat anal or genital areas unless prescribed by a doctor.

Do not use for more than seven days. If symptoms persist for more than 7 days, see your doctor.

May cause irritation in area of use, for example burning, stinging, itching, redness, rash, blistering or peeling.

Stop using the cream and consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have a severe reaction to it.