Daktarin

What is Daktarin?

Daktarin is a cream or powder that treats fungal infections like jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm. It’s a strong and effective treatment used for fungal infections.

Jock itch and athlete’s foot are both types of ringworm infection, caused by a type of fungus called candida. Daktarin attacks this fungus, curing the infection and allowing your skin to heal. Depending on the type of treatment and infection, keep using Daktarin for 7-10 days after your symptoms are gone.

How does Daktarin work?

The active ingredient in Daktarin is miconazole. Miconazole works on the fungus cells causing the infection. It attacks an enzyme called 14α-sterol demethylase and stops it from making ergosterol, a substance which keeps the fungus cells alive.

This brings the infection down, allowing your immune system to kill off the few remaining fungus cells. Then your ringworm, jock itch or athlete’s foot should be effectively treated. The powder also dries out the infected area, which makes it more difficult for the fungus to grow.

What doses of Daktarin are there?

There’s only one strength of solution for the Daktarin cream and powder. The cream contains 20mg of miconazole in each 1g of Daktarin cream, and the powder has 20mg of miconazole per 1g of powder.

Our clinician can tell you how often to apply Daktarin based on your condition and how bad it is. You will usually start by applying the cream, powder and spray twice a day. If your infection starts to get better, you might not need to use it as often.

What form of Daktarin should I use?

The type of Daktarin you use will depend on the type of infection you have and where it is. If you talk to our clinicians about your health, we can let you know your options. You may also be able to pick, for example, about whether to treat your ringworm with a cream or powder. Using the powder may be better for athlete’s foot or infections in other places prone to dampness, because it helps dry out the area. This makes your feet less appealing to the fungus and so helps stop it from growing.

How to use Daktarin

How you use Daktarin will depend on what you’re treating and the form of it you’re using. Always use Daktarin as our clinician tells you. Remember that when you have a fungal infection, you shouldn’t share towels or flannels with other people so you don’t spread it to them.

How to use Daktarin cream

If you’re using Daktarin cream to treat ringworm, jock itch or athlete’s foot:

• make sure your hands are clean
• pierce the cap open if it’s your first time using it
• rub the cream into the affected area
• wash your hands afterwards, unless you’re applying the cream to your hands

How to use Daktarin powder

If you’re using Daktarin powder for jock itch, athlete's foot or any kind of ringworm:

• make sure your hands are clean
• wash and dry the infected skin
• sprinkle the powder onto the affected and surrounding area
• add powder to clothes, socks and shoes which come into contact with the infected skin
• wash your hands afterwards, unless you’re applying the powder to your hands

How long does it take Daktarin to work?

How long Daktarin takes to work will depend on how widespread and severe your infection is, but it usually takes a few weeks. You will need to keep applying Daktarin for ten days after the infection is gone to make sure it doesn’t come back.

Remember to practice good hygiene to help the healing process and stop the infection spreading. Don’t share towels with people. Change clothes that come into contact with the infected skin often. If you have athlete’s foot, you should wear socks or shoes in shared areas.

If you don’t see any changes within a couple of weeks, contact our clinician. You can also log into your account and send us a message if you’re using our service.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Daktarin?

If you forget to apply the cream or powder, just skip that dose and carry on as normal with your next dose. Don’t apply extra to make up for missing a dose.

Make sure you don’t get any cream or powder in your mouth. Seek urgent medical attention if you do. If you get Daktarin in your eyes, wash them with water. See a clinician if your vision seems to be affected.

Medically reviewed by

Dr Daniel Atkinson

GP Clinical Lead

on August 02, 2022.

Meet Daniel