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Your skin is home to many families of yeast and fungi. These exist in a delicately balanced ecosystem (microbiome), protecting your skin from infections and breaking down oils and dead skin cells. When these fungi become overgrown, however, they can cause infections, itching, redness and irritation.
Daktarin 2% Cream provides effective and lasting relief from the itching and irritation caused by fungal infections.
It contains miconazole, an antifungal which works by preventing the growth of fungi which cause infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, thrush, jock itch, nappy rash and nail infections.
It combines antifungal properties with moisturising effects, fighting infection while eliminating angry, red, dry and cracked skin. It is safe to use for both adults and babies, and is available without a prescription. In most cases, Daktarin 2% Cream provided relief from symptoms within seven to ten days.
Daktarin cream is a trusted topical antifungal treatment. Its active ingredient, miconazole nitrate, has been used to combat fungal infections since it was patented in the late 1960s, and has a strong safety profile.
With combined antifungal and moisturising properties, it acts quickly to provide relief from irritating symptoms while treating the underlying infection.
Daktarin's active ingredient is miconazole nitrate. This works by targeting the cell membranes of the fungi that cause bacteria when overgrown.
It prevents the fungal cells from being able to produce ergosterol, a fundamental part of the cell membrane. This essentially creates holes that cause the fungi to fall apart and die. It can also be effective against certain associated bacteria (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus), blocking the enzymes they need to multiply.
This helps to prevent the spread of infection while also allowing the affected area to heal.
Always wash your hands before and after applying Daktarin 2% Cream.
Apply to the affected areas and surrounding skin after the area has been washed and dried. Do this twice daily for skin infections and once or twice daily for nail infections.
It is important to keep applying Daktarin for at least 10 days even after symptoms have disappeared, as this will help to prevent recurrence.
The active ingredient in Daktarin 2% Cream is miconazole nitrate (20mg per gram or 2% w/w).
Inactive ingredients include liquid paraffin, purified water, benzoic acid and butylated hydroxyanisole, glycol stearate, PEG-6, PEG-32 and oleoyl macro glycerides.
These ingredients work together to treat the infection while also moisturising and soothing irritated skin.
Like all medications, Daktarin can cause some side effects. These are usually mild, and not everyone will experience them.
These can include mild skin irritation, resulting in burning, itching, redness or rashes at the application site. Some people may also experience skin discolouration, inflammation or increased warmth.
In some rare cases, people using Daktarin may experience a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing or an itchy rash (hives). If this happens, you should seek emergency medical help.
If you have concerns about any side effects you are experiencing, discontinue use and speak to a member of our clinical team. They will be more than happy to advise you on how best to proceed.
Some of the ingredients in Daktarin can cause irritation to your eyes and mucous membranes (the pink tissues found lining your mouth, nose and eyes). Therefore, avoid contact with these areas. Do not share the cream with others as this can lead to the spread of infection. In some rare cases, the ingredients in Daktarin can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) in newborn babies.
You should consult our clinical team before using Daktarin if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications, particularly oral blood thinners (anticoagulants) like warfarin.
Always read the patient information leaflet before using any new medication.
Daktarin 2% Cream is used to treat a variety of fungal conditions that affect the skin and the nails.
These include:
Athlete's foot (redness, itching, scaling and cracking of the skin between the toes).
Ringworm (a contagious fungal infection caused by parasites and resulting in an itchy red, ring-shaped rash).
Thrush (an infection of the candida fungus resulting in vaginal itching and discharge).
Jock itch (an itchy, ring shaped rash around the groin, upper thighs, buttocks and lower abdomen).
Nappy rash (an itchy or painful rash experienced by babies when the skin under a nappy is exposed to urine, faeces and friction).
Pityriasis (an itchy, red, flaking, oval-shaped skin rash).
Fungal nail infections (discolouration, thickening, or brittleness of the nails on the fingers or toes).
Daktarin 2% Cream combats all of these by preventing fungal cells from being able to make ergosterol. This undermines the cell structure, causing them to become "leaky", fall apart and die.
Most people will start to see and feel results in seven to ten days. However, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed, even if symptoms improve quickly, to prevent recurrence.
Yes, Daktarin's gentle formulation makes it suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. As well as its antifungal properties, Daktarin 2% Cream also has moisturising effects, helping to soothe and rehydrate irritated skin.
Yes, absolutely. Daktarin 2% cream is effective in treating fungal nail infections as well as skin infections, although treatment periods tend to be slightly longer (typically around ten days). Apply Daktarin to the infected area once or twice per day as directed by your pharmacist.
While other over-the-counter topical antifungal treatments may use clotrimazole or terbinafine, Daktarin uses miconazole nitrate. As well as providing effective broad-spectrum treatment for a range of fungal infections, it is also particularly effective against Gram-positive bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcal species).
While Daktarin is safe to use with many other medications, it can have potential interactions. The most common of these is with blood-thinning tablets (oral anticoagulants), such as warfarin. Our clinical team will be happy to advise on any potential interactions and alternatives if you are currently using another medication.
Fungal infections can occur anywhere on the skin, although they are most common in warm, dark, moist areas. Fungal skin conditions are usually accompanied by itching, redness and dry, cracked or scaly skin.
Fungal infections can also affect the nails, causing them to become discoloured, brittle or thick.
If you experience these symptoms but are not sure what specific fungal skin infection you have, a member of our clinical team will be happy to help.
In most cases, Daktarin will alleviate symptoms and treat the underlying infection within ten days. However, if you still experience symptoms after this time, our clinical team will be happy to advise. It could be that the condition was initially misdiagnosed, or that an alternative treatment could be more effective.
After your treatment has concluded, there is a possibility that fungal infections may recur.
You can reduce the risk of this recurrence by ensuring good hygiene and ensuring that you towel dry after showering or bathing before putting on clothes. Some fungi thrive in moist dark places. Be sure to wash and dry your hands regularly. Keep your feet clean and dry, changing socks regularly. Avoid sharing towels or shoes with others as this can cause infections to spread from one person to another.
Note that while fungal infections like thrush are not STIs, they can still be transmitted during sexual intercourse. Barrier contraception (condoms) is recommended if you have a genital fungal infection.
Daktarin is a safe and effective treatment for a broad range of fungal skin and nail infections. It is available without a prescription with no consultation needed. Always buy Daktarin and other medications from a trusted provider, such as The Independent Pharmacy. We are a 100% UK-based online pharmacy with a team of knowledgeable and experienced in-house clinicians.
Need help with something else? We are always available to provide the support and guidance you need to maintain your health. Our team is just a click away, so get in touch today.
We think accessing healthcare should be easy. Whether we’re fulfilling NHS prescriptions or helping people find the right treatments, we aim to offer our customers dependable, economical and convenient access to medicines with a personal and discreet service.
Visit our Skin Infections page for treatments, advice and FAQs.
