Canesten Hydrocortisone is used to treat athlete's foot and fungal sweat rash when there are additional symptoms of inflammation (such as swelling, redness and itching):

• If you are unsure whether you have one of these fungal skin infections, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• Canesten Hydrocortisone treats the fungal skin infection and reduces the swelling and itching caused by it.

The active substances in Canesten Hydrocortisone are Clotrimazole and Hydrocortisone:

• Clotrimazole belongs to a group of medicines called imidazoles, which destroy the fungi and some bacteria that cause infections.
• Hydrocortisone is a mild steroid which reduces swelling, redness and itching associated with inflammation of the skin.

How to use Canesten Hydrocortisone:

• If Canesten Hydrocortisone has been prescribed for you by your doctor, follow any instructions he/she may have given you.
• If you purchased this product without a prescription, follow the direction in your own product closely.
• Always read the full information in your own product before use.

If the feet are infected: they should be washed and dried thoroughly, especially between the toes, before applying the cream.

• Canesten Hydrocortisone should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected areas twice daily and rubbed in gently.
• Approximately 1cm of cream per application should be enough
• Do not cover the area being treated with a dressing or bandage
• As with all products containing hydrocortisone, you should wash your hands immediately after applying the cream.

Treatment should be continued for no more than 7 days: The symptoms of skin infection, such as itching or soreness, should improve within a few days of treatment although signs such as redness and scaling may take longer to disappear.

• If the symptoms persist or do not start to improve after 7 days, consult your doctor.

Canesten Hydrocortisone is for external use only: Do not put the cream in your mouth or swallow it. If the cream is swallowed accidentally, tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.

• If you accidentally get cream in your eye or mouth, wash immediately with water and contact your doctor.

Canesten Hydrocortisone contains the active substances: Clotrimazole and Hydrocortisone each at the strength of 1% w/w

It also contains: Benzyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, triceteareth-4 phosphate, medium chain triglycerides and purified water.

Do not use Canesten Hydrocortisone:

• If you have a fungal infection without specific symptoms of inflammation, an antifungal medicine without hydrocortisone may be more appropriate.
• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to clotrimazole, hydrocortisone or any of the other ingredients, including cetostearyl alcohol, of Canesten Hydrocortisone.
• On areas of broken skin
• On large areas of skin (more than 5.10% of body surface)
• For longer than 7 days
• To treat cold sores or acne
• On your face, eyes, mouth or mucous membranes.
• On any untreated bacterial skin infection, such as syphilis or tuberculosis.
• On vaccination reactions
• On shingles, chicken pox, rosacea or herpes.

If you are unsure about any of these restrictions, speak to your doctor or pharmacist

Unless prescribed by a doctor, you should not use Canesten Hydrocortisone:

• If pregnant or breast-feeding
• In children under 10 years
• In the vagina or on the vulva
• On the penis or scrotum
• Around the anus
• To treat ringworm
• On areas of skin affected by eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis.

If you are unsure about any of these restrictions, speak to your doctor or pharmacist

Important information about some of the ingredients: This product contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin irritation (e.g. rash, itching or redness).

Special precautions:

• As with all steroids, long-term, continuous use on large areas of skin should be avoided.
• Do not cover the area being treated with a dressing or bandage.
• Wash your hands immediately after applying the cream.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying for a baby, tell your doctor or midwife before using Canesten Hydrocortisone. If you have informed your doctor or midwife already, follow his/her instructions carefully

Like all medicines, Canesten Hydrocortisone can cause side effects although not everybody gets them: Some people may be allergic to the cream. If you are allergic, a reaction will occur soon after you start using it. If you experience an allergic reaction, stop using the cream and tell your  doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Rash.
• Swallowing or breathing problems.
• Swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
• Weakness, feeling dizzy or faint.
• Nausea.

After you apply the cream you may experience: itching, rash, blisters, burning, discomfort, swelling, irritation or peeling of the skin.

Treatment should be limited to 7 days unless advised otherwise by your doctor. If you apply the cream to a large area or under a dressings, or if you use the cream for more than 2 weeks, you may experience skin reactions such as:

• Broken veins.
• Excess, hair growth.
• Stretch marks.
• Thinning or whitening of the skin.
• Secondary infections.
• An acne like rash.

If you experience any of the the effects listed in your own leaflet or react badly to the cream in any other way not listed in your own leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.