Canesten

Canesten cream is an antifungal that treats infections caused by yeast. It treats tinea versicolor, a fungal infection on the skin caused by Malassezia. Malassezia is a yeast present on healthy skin, commonly around oily parts of the body. Most of the time it’s harmless, but sometimes it can cause discolouration.^[1]
Genetics, environmental factors, pregnancy, and immunodeficiency can prompt it to do this.

Tinea versicolor changes the colour of your skin — making it lighter in certain spots or patches of your body.^[1]
It can be confused with vitiligo, so it’s best to get a proper diagnosis from your clinician before using medication, as you might accidentally use the wrong one.

Canesten’s active ingredient, clotrimazole, damages the cell membrane of fungi. This is achieved by preventing the production of ergosterol, a steroid necessary for a functional membrane. To put this in simpler terms: without ergosterol, the fungus can’t grow, and so your infection is cleared.^[2]

To apply Canesten, follow the instructions below:

• Pierce the tube open using the cap.
• Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area and rub it in. If you’re applying it to your feet, wash them beforehand.
• Wash your hands after application to avoid spreading the infection.
• Reapply the cream 2-3 times a day.

After application, you may feel burning, tingling, redness and itching. Try not to itch the infected area, as it could spread the infection.

Canesten cream is typically used for up to four weeks, but you should see some improvement within a few days.

Canesten comes in different forms and treats many fungal conditions. All the products contain the active ingredients clotrimazole, fluconazole, hydrocortisone or a combination of these ingredients. Some other products include Canesten Pessary, which treats vaginal thrush, and Canesten Athletes Foot Cream, which (you guessed it) treats athlete’s foot. There are also Canesten sprays and oral capsules available, but for Tinea Versicolor, Canesten 1% cream is often recommended.