Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream 15g

Apply Canesten Hydrocortisone to the affected area only and avoid contact with surrounding skin.
Do not cover the area being treated with a dressing or bandage.
As with all products containing hydrocortisone you should wash your hands after applying the cream.
Canesten Hydrocortisone is for external use only and should not be put in the mouth or swallowed. If it is swallowed accidentally, seek medical advice immediately. If you accidentally get cream in your eyes or mouth, wash immediately with water and contact your doctor.
This cream contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
How do I use Canesten® Hydrocortisone?
Before use, pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and press.
The cream should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area twice daily and rubbed in gently. Approximately 1 cm of cream per application should be enough.
Treatment should be continued for only 7 days. If your symptoms persist or do not start to improve after 7 days, you should talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
If your symptoms persist consult your doctor.
You can help the treatment to work if you follow these simple self-help tips:
• Although the infected area will itch, try not to scratch. Scratching will damage the surface of the skin and may cause the infection to spread further.
• Keep affected skin areas clean and dry, but avoid excessive rubbing.
• Do not share towels/bath mats etc. with other people as you could spread the infection to them.
3
• Always wash your hands after treating the infection to prevent it spreading.
If you have athlete's foot:
• Remember to dry the skin between the toes thoroughly.
• Wash your socks, stockings or tights thoroughly in hot water to remove any shed skin or fungal spores.
• Change your footwear daily if possible.
What should I do if I forget to use Canesten® Hydrocortisone?
Apply the cream as soon as possible and then continue the rest of your treatment as directed.

The cream contains 1% w/w of the active ingredients Clotrimazole and Hydrocortisone. It also contains benzyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, triceteareth-4 phosphate, medium chain triglycerides and purified water. Clotrimazole is one of a group of medicines called imidazole antifungals, which are used to destroy the fungi and some bacteria which cause skin infections.
Hydrocortisone is a mild steroid, which reduces swelling, redness and itching associated with inflammation of the skin.

As with other medicines, Canesten Hydrocortisone may cause side-effects in some people. You may experience a mild burning or irritation immediately after applying the cream. If this is intolerable, stop treatment and ask your doctor for advice.
As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to the cream. If you are allergic, a reaction will occur soon after you start using it. An allergic reaction may appear as a rash, itching, nausea, faintness or facial swelling. If you experience any of these effects, tell your doctor immediately.
You may experience skin reactions such as broken veins, excess hair growth, stretch marks, thinning of skin, whitening of the skin, secondary infections or an acne like rash if you apply the cream to a large area or under a dressing, and/or you use the cream for more than 2 weeks. Treatment should be limited to 7 days unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
If your symptoms get worse or you feel you are reacting badly to this medicine in any other way, consult your doctor.
Do not store above 25°C.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use the cream after the expiry date, which is printed at the end of the carton and on the end of the tube.
If you find that you still have this medicine after its expiry date, return it to your local pharmacist who will dispose of it properly.
REMEMBER: If you have any doubts about using Canesten® Hydrocortisone correctly,
ask your pharmacist for advice.

If you have a fungal infection without specific symptoms of inflammation, an antifungal medicine without hydrocortisone may be more appropriate.
There are a number of circumstances in which you should not use Canesten Hydrocortisone:
• on areas of broken skin.
• on large areas of skin.
• for longer than 7 days.
• if you have previously had a reaction to any of the ingredients in Canesten Hydrocortisone.
• to treat a cold sore or acne.
• on your face, eyes, mouth or mucous membranes.
• on any untreated bacterial skin infections, such as syphilis or tuberculosis.
• on vaccination reactions.
• on shingles, chicken pox or rosacea.
2
Also, unless it has been prescribed by a doctor, you should not use Canesten Hydrocortisone:
• in children under 10 years.
• if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying for a baby.
• in the vagina or on the vulva.
• on the penis or scrotum.
• around the anus.
• on 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.

1 tube

To view this product's Patient Information Leaflet, click here.