Daktacort Hc Cream 15g

Daktacort Hydrocortisone Cream is a medicine which is used to treat inflamed sweat rash or Athlete's Foot. 

The cream contains the following ingredients:

• Hydrocortisone acetate is a mild 'topical steroid' which reduces inflammation, swelling, redness and itching of the skin.
• Miconazole nitrate is an antifungal which works by destroying both the fungus that causes the infection and some of the associated bacteria which may also be present.

Sweat rash (candida intertrigo, or 'thrush' of the skin folds) is a sore, itchy red rash found in areas where the skin rubs together e.g. below or between the breasts, underarms, tops of legs or the groin or other skin areas.

Athlete's Foot is a fungal skin infection causing soreness, itching and flaking between the toes or on the soles or sides of the feet.  If you have a fungal infection without any symptoms of inflammation, an antifungal medication without hydrocortisone acetate may be more appropriate.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are in doubt.

How do you catch Athlete’s Foot?

It's extremely infectious so anyone can pick it up, especially people sharing communal changing rooms and showers.

Once the fungal spores have been transferred onto the feet, they thrive in the warm, moist areas between the toes. The skin soon becomes inflamed and itchy with flaking or cracking occurring.

The infected flakes of skin are then shed onto the floor or into the socks and shoes by walking or friction.

Someone else will be easily infected if they step on these flakes, or if they share towels or footwear with someone who has already got Athlete's Foot.

What is more, even if you've already got rid of your Athlete's Foot, it's very easy to re-infect yourself. The spores can live on or in your shoes or socks and if you don't change them regularly, or treat them with antifungal powders or spray powders, the Athlete's Foot soon returns.

How to prevent re-infection

If you want to avoid the vicious circle of re-infection, here are a few helpful hints.

• Spray inside your shoes and socks with fungicidal powder before putting them on.
• Don't wear the same pair of shoes every day. This helps reduce the build-up of sweat which provides the moisture on which the fungus thrives.
• Avoid synthetic footwear. Choose cotton socks and leather shoes which allow your feet to breathe.
• Avoid sharing towels or footwear.
• Avoid walking barefoot in changing rooms.
• Dry thoroughly between your toes and keep toenails short as this reduces the number of places fungi can grow.

Daktacort Hydrocortisone Cream contains miconazole nitrate and hydrocortisone. For athletes foot and inflamed sweat rash of the skin (aged 10+). Always read the label.

For topical use only, which means it is applied directly to the affected area of skin.

Do not use more than the stated dose shown in the table. 

How to apply the cream

Wash the infected area and dry it well. As many skin conditions are contagious, you should keep a towel and flannel for your own use and not share it so that you do not infect anyone else.

Apply the cream onto the infected area and surrounding skin.

Adults and children aged 10 years and over: put a small amount of the cream on the affected area twice daily.  Rub it in gently until the cream has disappeared.

Do not use for more than 7 days.

If symptoms persist talk to your doctor.

Wash your hands carefully after applying the cream to avoid spreading the infection to other parts of the body or to other people. Similarly, clothing which comes into contact with the infected areas, such as socks, should be washed and changed frequently.

Adults and children aged 10 years and over: put a small amount of the cream on the affected area twice daily.  Rub it in gently until the cream has disappeared.

Do not use for more than 7 days.

If symptoms persist talk to your doctor.

This medicine is suitable for most adults and children but a few people should not use it. If you are in any doubt, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not use this medicine:

• If you have ever had a bad reaction to any of the ingredients.
• If you have any other skin problems such as cold sores, acne, herpes, chicken pox, or shingles.
• If your skin is broken.
• On large areas of your body or under dressings.
• For more than 7 days.
• On your face, eyes or mucous membranes.
• On the anal or genital area, unless your doctor has told you to.
• If it is for a child under 10 years of age, unless your doctor has told you to.
• To treat ringworm, unless your doctor has told you to.
• To treat any other infections which occur as a result of your original infection, unless your doctor has told you to.

If this applies to you, get advice from a doctor or pharmacist without using Daktacort Hydrocortisone Cream.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking oral anticoagulants (drugs used to thin the blood, such as warfarin).

If you are not sure about any of the medicines you are taking, show the bottle or pack to your pharmacist.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Do not let the cream get into your eyes.

If you experience any irritation or sensitivity to the cream, stop using this medicine.

Some of the ingredients can cause problems:

• Benzoic acid (E210) can mildly irritate the skin, eyes and mucosal membranes.
• Butylated hydroxyanisole (E320) may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis), or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes.

If anyone accidentally swallows Daktacort Hydrocortisone Cream, contact a doctor or your nearest Accident and Emergency department (Casualty), taking this leaflet and pack with you.

If you forget to use a dose, use the next dose when needed. Do not use a double dose.

Possible side-effects

Daktacort Hydrocortisone Cream can have side-effects, like all medicines, although these don't affect everyone and are usually mild.

If you experience any of the following, stop using the medicine and seek immediate medical help:

Very rarely:

• Severe allergic reactions including swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Light headedness, generalised itch, wheezing or difficulty in breathing.

If you experience any of the following, stop using the medicine and talk to your doctor:

Rarely:

• Allergic reactions such as skin rash, itchiness, redness or a burning feeling.

Keep the product out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use your medicine after the date shown as the expiry date on the packaging.

Miconazole nitrate 20 mg, Hydrocortisone acetate equivalent to 10 mg of hydrocortisone, Macrogol 6-32 stearate, glycol stearate, oleoyl macrogolglycerides, liquid paraffin, butylhydroxyanisole, benzoic acid, disodium edetate, sodium hydroxide and purified water.