Canesten HC (clotrimazole, hydrocortisone) is a topical treatment for skin infections which involve both fungus and inflammation symptoms. It can be used on patients of all ages, but special care is required when using in infants or young children.

This product contains two active ingredients:

• Clotrimazole is an antifungal medication useful at destroying yeast, mold, and fungus that sometimes invade the skin.
• Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that relieves symptoms of inflammation, including redness, swelling, itching, and warmth.

Canesten HC should only be used when both fungus and inflammation are involved; if just one or the other is present, it should be treated with an antifungal treatment alone or a corticosteroid alone.

Many fungal infections do involve inflammation, however, making Canesten HC a nearly perfect treatment. It can be used to combat:

• Ringworm
• Athlete's foot
• Jock itch
• Fungal diaper rash
• Sweat rash
• Vaginal thrush (external only)
• Penile thrush
• Other topical fungal infections

In the majority of cases Canesten HC, if used as directed, will clear up the above within one week of starting treatment.

Using Canesten HC

Canesten HC comes as a cream, and use is very similar in the vast majority of cases:

• Wash and dry the affected area.
• Apply a thin layer of the cream to affected area and gently rub it in.
• Repeat twice per day, ideally morning and evening.

As important as knowing how to use the cream is knowing what not to do with it; avoid:

• Getting the cream in mucous membranes.
• Applying to broken skin.
• Covering the area with an airtight dressing.
• Applying to more than 10 percent of the body.
• Treating bacterial or viral infections.
• Exceeding 7 days of use.

Canesten HC is readily absorbed by broken skin and mucous membranes, which can cause significantly more serious side effects. This is also a risk if applying it to large areas of the body and covering it with an airtight dressing. These risk factors are especially important for very young patients; still-developing bodies are much more vulnerable to negative side effects. While adults can often get away with such practices, care should be taken to avoid them in young patients.

If the infection is not fully cleared in 7 days, use should continue with an antifungal-only medication. Excessive use of corticosteroids can lead to adrenocortical suppression, again particularly in young patients. If inflammation symptoms continue to persist along with the infection after 7 days a doctor should be consulted; it's possible the infection is not fungal.

In the majority of cases, however, the infection will be fully cleared up before day 7. As a general rule, Canesten HC should be applied for one day following the absence of symptoms, to ensure all traces of fungus are destroyed. Most patients notice significant relief after the first one or two applications.

Other Considerations

Without attention to detail fungal infections can be notoriously difficult to treat. In addition to an antifungal medication, care should be taken to avoid re-infection and/or infecting others. Depending on where the infection is located, patients should:

• Avoid sharing towels, clothes, shoes, and similar items;
• Sterilize nail clippers, razors, and other grooming products after use;
• Wash bed linens frequently;
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with infected areas;
• Consider use of antifungal powders on shoes, clothes, bed linens, and other household items that might be contaminated. Note this may not be safe if pets or young children are present.

If using Canesten HC on the groin, be aware that it can dissolve latex. Alternative methods of birth control should be utilized for the duration of treatment. If both partners have a fungal infection of the groin, simultaneous treatment is best; otherwise one could re-infect the other.