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

Who should not use Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream?

Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream should not be used if you are allergic to clotrimazole, hydrocortisone, or any other ingredients of Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream. It should not be used on areas of broken skin, large areas of skin, for more than 7 days, to treat cold sores or acne, on any untreated bacterial skin infection, on vaccination reactions, or on shingles, chicken pox, rosacea, or herpes.

What precautions should be taken before using Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream?

Before using Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Long-term use on large areas of skin should be avoided, particularly in infants and children. Do not cover the treated area with a dressing or bandage. Infants should have nappies not fastened too tightly over the treated area. Wash hands after applying the cream. It may reduce the effectiveness of rubber contraceptives and cause blurred vision or other visual disturbances. Do not smoke or go near naked flames.

Is Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying for a baby, tell your doctor or midwife before using Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream. If you have informed your doctor, follow their instructions carefully.

How should Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream be used?

Unless directed otherwise by your doctor, Canesten HC Cream should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected areas two or three times daily and rubbed in gently. Pierce the tube seal before use by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and pressing it. If feet are infected, they should be washed and dried thoroughly before applying the cream. Do not cover the treated area with a dressing or bandage.

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.