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What Is Clotrimazole Cream?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Clotrimazole cream is an antifungal medication available both over the counter and by prescription. The medication is commonly used for treating mild fungal conditions, including yeast infections, jock itch, and ringworm. Sometimes, it is used for the treatment of athlete's foot as well. Clotrimazole cream is used topically, except in the case of a vaginal yeast infection, in which it is applied inside the vagina as well as in the external vaginal area. When used for fungal infections, it can both fight the infection and help relieve the symptoms associated with it, including itching and burning.

Often, vaginal and skin fungal infections are treated with topical antifungal agents. One of the most frequently used antifungal ingredients is clotrimazole. This synthetic agent is commonly used for a range of minor-to-moderate fungal infections. When a person has a vaginal yeast infection, this agent is inserted into the vagina to treat it and may be spread around the outside of the vagina as well. To treat athlete's foot, jock itch, or other external infections, it is typically rubbed on the skin.

Clotrimazole cream may be used to treat ringworm.
Clotrimazole cream may be used to treat ringworm.

An individual can usually purchase clotrimazole cream over the counter. It is often sold in drug and grocery stores. Sometimes a doctor may recommend it in prescription form by itself or in combination with another medication. Usually, however, the over-the-counter cream is sufficient for treating a fungal infection, but severe or persistent cases may require a stronger treatment or a different type of antifungal medication altogether.

Clotrimazole cream is sometimes used to treat athlete's foot.
Clotrimazole cream is sometimes used to treat athlete's foot.

Clotrimazole cream is effective for fighting the fungi that cause infection, though a person may not experience relief right away. In many cases, a person must continue using the cream for several days or even a couple of weeks to get rid of the fungal infection. Often, however, the medication starts working on the symptoms of this type of infection right away. For example, a person may experience at least some relief from itching or burning soon after he begins using it.

Clotrimazole creams are typically applied to the skin on the feet, hands or groin or to the nails to kill fungus such as Candida.
Clotrimazole creams are typically applied to the skin on the feet, hands or groin or to the nails to kill fungus such as Candida.

Most people tolerate the use of clotrimazole cream well. Like any medicine, however, it can cause side effects. Among the most common side effects of this cream are itching, burning, redness, and general irritation in the treated area. Some people may also experience cramping and swelling while using it. Serious side effects, including hives, bleeding, or blistering, are unlikely to develop but warrant contact with a doctor immediately — abdominal swelling and/or fever also require a doctor's attention.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

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Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

StarJo

The clotrimazole topical cream that comes with the kind you insert for a yeast infection helps a lot with the itching on the outside. This is good, because I always itch both inside and out, and scratching only irritates it more.

The cream does burn right after I apply it, but the burning fades in a few moments. It's almost as if the cream is burning off the itch, because as soon as the burn stops, the itching fades.

I think it's great that the manufacturers thought to include this exterior cream in the package. Without an antifungal cream both inside and out, the infection might just keep spreading from one to the other.

giddion

Clotrimazole cream for ringworm works pretty well. The only problem I had while using it was extreme flaking of my skin. It looked as though my leg had dandruff!

The label said that this was a normal side effect, though. Given the choice between leg dandruff and ringworm, I chose the temporary dandruff!

Kristee

@orangey03 – I am afraid to use clotrimazole cream for a yeast infection, because I had an allergic reaction to tioconazole, which is related to it. I had so much vaginal swelling that I was afraid I would be unable to pee!

I inserted the cream with the applicator one night, and the next day, I slowly began to swell. I was itching, too, which made it even more uncomfortable.

I pondered going to the doctor, but I decided to wait. The swelling just got worse, and that night, I decided to visit the emergency room.

All the doctor told me was that I had an allergic reaction and to take antihistamines. He gave me an ice pack and some pain pills, and I owed him $500. I wish I could have figured that out at home!

orangey03

How much swelling is normal when using clotrimazole vaginal cream? That could get very uncomfortable!

I like using over the counter products whenever possible. I want to try this cream, but I'm unsure if I want to risk swelling.

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    • Clotrimazole cream may be used to treat ringworm.
      By: schankz
      Clotrimazole cream may be used to treat ringworm.
    • Clotrimazole cream is sometimes used to treat athlete's foot.
      By: roblan
      Clotrimazole cream is sometimes used to treat athlete's foot.
    • Clotrimazole creams are typically applied to the skin on the feet, hands or groin or to the nails to kill fungus such as Candida.
      By: agephotography
      Clotrimazole creams are typically applied to the skin on the feet, hands or groin or to the nails to kill fungus such as Candida.
    • Walking barefoot in public places may cause foot fungus.
      By: Jürgen Fälchle
      Walking barefoot in public places may cause foot fungus.
    • Clotrimazole cream may be inserted into the vagina to treat a yeast infection.
      By: isyste
      Clotrimazole cream may be inserted into the vagina to treat a yeast infection.