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.