FUNGAL SKIN INFECTIONS
INTRODUCTION
A fungal skin infection could be the cause if you are suffering from symptoms like itchy skin.
Fungal skin infections result from fungi invading and growing in dead keratin. That’s the protein that makes up nails, hair and skin. Different treatments are available for fungal skin infections depending on the type of fungus involved.
DAKTAKORT HYDROCORTISONE CREAM
Daktacort contains two active ingredients: miconazole, an antifungal, and hydrocortisone, a steroid.
WHAT IS DAKTACORT CREAM USED FOR?
Daktacort is used to treat an athlete’s inflamed foot (tinea pedis).
Despite the name, athlete’s foot can occur wherever there are skin folds, including below the breasts, the buttocks, and thighs. Infection and inflammation are caused by the overgrowth of Candida fungi in warm, moist areas. This fungus also causes sweat rash or Candidal intertrigo.
Daktacort Hydrocortisone cream can provide rapid relief from inflammation symptoms, like itching. The miconazole kills the Candida fungus, while the hydrocortisone reduces itching and redness.
If you have a fungal infection but no symptoms of inflammation, a hydrocortisone cream may not be appropriate. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about antifungal creams without steroids.
Daktacort hydrocortisone cream is not suitable for children under 10 unless prescribed by a doctor.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE USING DAKTACORT CREAM?
Daktacort hydrocortisone cream is for external use on the affected skin areas only.
Daktacort cream should not be used to treat large areas of skin. Never apply to the skin if it’s broken.
Daktacort should not be used to treat genital or anal areas unless prescribed by a doctor.
Daktacort hydrocortisone cream is not suitable for treating viral skin infections such as cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox, or shingles.
Daktacort is not suitable for the treatment of acne.
Daktacort hydrocortisone cream should not be used for ringworm (tinea corporis) unless prescribed by a doctor.
Do not apply Daktacort to the face or allow it to come into contact with the eyes, mouth, or nose.
Do not use Daktacort hydrocortisone cream if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients. Stop using Daktacort and inform your doctor or pharmacist if you feel you’ve experienced an allergic reaction.
For more details, read the patient leaflet for this product: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/3354
HOW DOES DAKTACORT WORK?
Daktacort contains two active ingredients: hydrocortisone and miconazole.
Miconazole kills fungi, yeasts, and bacteria like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. It is an antifungal that attacks the fungal cell membranes, causing holes to appear that allow the essential constituents to leak out. This action kills the fungus and clears the infection.
Hydrocortisone is a steroid that reduces inflammation. It does this by stopping skin cells from producing inflammatories like prostaglandins, which are released when the skin reacts to infection or irritation. The blood cells widen, and other inflammatory substances cause the affected area to become swollen, red, and itchy. By preventing the release of these substances, hydrocortisone relieves inflammation, redness, and itchiness.
Once the initial inflammation is under control, treatment should continue with an antifungal only.
HOW DO I USE DAKTACORT CREAM?
To use your Daktacort cream, thoroughly wash and dry the affected area before use.
The cream should be applied to the affected areas in a thin, even layer and rubbed in gently twice a day.
Wash your hands after application to prevent the spread of infection to other areas of the body, or other people.
Daktacort can be used for a maximum of 7 days. If the infection persists after this time, continue the treatment with steroid-free Daktarin cream or powder. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Daktacort hydrocortisone cream is for use by adults or children aged 10+.
CANESTEN HC CREAM
Canesten HC cream has two active ingredients: antifungal clotrimazole and steroid hydrocortisone. Clotrimazole is used to treat yeast and fungal infections, while hydrocortisone relieves inflammation symptoms.
WHAT IS CANESTEN USED FOR?
Canesten is used for skin infections caused by Candida yeasts, dermatophytes like Trichophyton and Tinea, moulds and fungi.
Canesten can be used for the treatment of:
Ringworm (tinea corporis)
Fungal infection in the groin, such as crotch itch (tinea cruris)
Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis)
Sweat rash caused by Candida albicans
Nappy rash caused by Candida albicans
Inflammation of the foreskin and penis (thrush caused by Candida albicans)
External symptoms of vaginal thrush (candidal vaginitis) – treatment should be combined with medication to treat the internal symptoms. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE USING CANESTEN CREAM?
If you’re trying for a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor or other medical professionals before using Canesten cream.
Don’t use it on broken skin or large areas of the body.
Canesten should not be used to treat bacterial skin infections such as tuberculosis or syphilis or viral skin infections like shingles, chickenpox, herpes or rosacea.
Don’t use it for longer than 7 days.
Don’t use Canesten cream if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients or develop an allergic reaction.
For more information, read the patient leaflet for this product: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/30544
HOW DOES CANESTEN WORK?
Canesten cream works in two ways. Clotrimazole is an antifungal that treats yeast and fungal infections. Hydrocortisone reduces inflammation and relieves symptoms, including redness and itchiness.
Clotrimazole works by disrupting the ability of yeast and fungal cell membranes to produce ergosterol. This substance is critical to cell integrity. Without it, holes begin to appear in the fungal cell membranes, which means those cells cannot survive.
As holes appear, essential components begin to leak out, and unwanted substances enter. As a result, the fungi or yeast are killed, and the infection is treated.
Clotrimazole cream treats a wide range of fungal skin infections. These include dermatophyte infections caused by tinea, such as athlete’s foot, jock itch and ringworm. It’s also effective as a treatment for fungal skin infections caused by Candida yeasts, such as sweat rash, fungal nappy rash and thrush affecting the vagina or penis.
Hydrocortisone inhibits the production of prostaglandins or other inflammatory substances. Inflammation-causing chemicals are released when the skin reacts to irritation, causing blood vessels to widen and the skin to become swollen, red, and itchy. Hydrocortisone prevents the release of these inflammatory chemicals, reducing inflammation and relieving symptoms like itchiness and redness.
The combination of active ingredients in Canesten cream effectively treats fungal skin infections when rapid relief from inflammation and itchiness is required.
HOW CAN I USE CANESTEN CREAM?
Canesten HC cream should be applied twice daily and rubbed in gently. If you’re using Canesten to treat athlete’s foot, thoroughly wash and dry the feet and between the toes before use.
Wash your hands after applying to prevent the spread of infection.
Only use Canesten for 7 days. To continue the treatment, use a steroid-free cream. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Canesten for thrush will only relieve the external symptoms, such as soreness, inflammation and itching. Infection inside the vagina should be treated with an oral antifungal or clotrimazole pessaries. Your doctor or pharmacist should advise you on the correct treatment.
AVAILABILITY
Select your preferred pharmacy to visit their page and enquire about this service. You can also pop into your local pharmacy when it suits you.
