Clotrimazole For Men: An Effective Treatment For Fungus

Fungal infections like yeast are primarily associated with women.However, men aren’t safe from these infections either.About the same number of men get fungal infections as women.

Did you know that nearly a billion people in the world are estimated to have skin, nail, and fungal infections? Shocking right? Not to give you another shock, but more than 150 million people have serious fungal diseases.

Hold on a second…Don’t worry; thanks to science and technology, medications are available that treat fungal infections effectively in most people.

Clotrimazole is one such medication used to treat fungal infections in both men and women.

This medication treats skin infections like ringworm, jock itch, athlete's foot, and other fungal infections. It is an over the counter medication you can also buy Clotrimazole online from certified online pharmacy.

Since its first discovery by Karl Hienz Buchel (Bayer) in the late 1960s, the medication has provided effective control over fungal infections.

Clotrimazole was sold first in the German markets in 1973 as Canesten. Now that you’ve got the gist of the history and what Clotrimazole is used for, let us get to know more about the medication(Hoogerheide, J.G. and Wyka, B.E., 1982. Clotrimazole. In Analytical profiles of drug substances (Vol. 11, pp. 225-255). Academic press).

Is Clotrimazole Really Effective For Men?

To clarify Clotrimazole's effectiveness in treating fungal infections in males, let’s look at a study conducted at the Center for Diagnosis of Infectious, Venerodermatological Disease, located in Vienna, Austria.

The study compared oral fluconazole and topical Clotrimazole in patients who suffered from candida balanitis (a yeast infection that occurs in men).

 Of the total 150 patients who were divided, nearly half of them were given fluconazole (150 mg single dose/day), and the other half were given Clotrimazole that was to be applied twice a day.

The study found out that both these medications effectively treated candida balanitis. Clotrimazole showed a recovery rate of 91%, which is a significant number (Waugh, M.A., Evans, E.G., Nayyar, K.C. and Fong, R., 1978. Clotrimazole (Canesten) in the treatment of candidal balanitis in men).

How To Use Clotrimazole?

You should apply the Clotrimazole cream in sufficient quantity over the affected area and its immediate surrounding area gently.

You can wash the affected area mildly and tap it dry with a clean and dry cloth before applying the cream (avoid doing so if suggested otherwise by the doctor).

It can be applied 2-3 times a day for the best results. Depending on the level of infection, it can be used for 2 weeks or more.

If you get confused, you can see a doctor and get properly diagnosed (Mselle, J., 2001. Use of topical clotrimazole in human keratomycosis. Ophthalmologica, 215(5), pp.357-360).

How Long Does It Take For Clotrimazole To Work?

It depends from person to person and on the level of severity. It typically takes 2 weeks to show some results; however, in some cases (or conditions), it may take up to 8 weeks to fully get rid of most fungal infections.

There is no assured time period for the working or treatment of the infection it purely depends on the application and regular use in consistency of the medication.

What If You Apply Too Much?

Do not worry if you apply too much Clotrimazole over the affected area. You can either wipe the medication or keep it as it is to let it get absorbed by your skin.

This medication is generally not harmful if applied more than what's needed. It may cause some discomfort to some men.

However, there are chances that it may cause skin irritation or redness. If that happens, you can apply less cream the next time you use it. 

Precautions You Need To Take Before Using Clotrimazole 

Clotrimazole may not be suitable for everyone to use. If you are allergic to Clotrimazole or other such medications, you should avoid using it or consult a doctor before purchasing it.

It is also essential to tell your doctor of your medical history before starting a new medication. Men with sensitive skin must take extra precautions while using medicinal creams.

Avoid deodorants, talcum powder, scented soaps, or anything that may irritate the skin. It would be best to wear loose cotton clothes that won’t create moisture and heat as it aggravates the fungus.

Forms And Strengths

There are oral tablets, liquid solutions, and Clotrimazole creams available for use. However, the cream form is the most popular and widely used. 

The cream comes at the strengths of 1% USP and 2% USP.

Dosage

It would show the best results as advised by your doctor or as directed in the information leaflet of the medication.

Clotrimazole Drug Interactions

There are about 245 known drugs that interact with Clotrimazole that range from mild, moderate to severe reactions. Below are some of the drugs that interact with this medication.

• Symbiont
• Paracetamol
• Benadryl
• Tylenol
• Fish oil

Can Clotrimazole Cause Side Effects?

Some side effects may occur while using Clotrimazole in some people.

Even though the chances are rare, it is still a possibility that you may get negatively affected by this medicine. We’ve listed some side effects that can occur after using Clotrimazole.

• Allergic reaction-(Skin rash, irritation, itching, or even swelling can occur while on Clotrimazole. It may take some time for the effect to subside depending on your tolerance level).
• Clotrimazole can lead to even skin peeling in rare cases, which would need professional help to resolve.
• Clotrimazole lozenges may cause nausea in some people that may take a few hours to mellow down. 
• Sometimes a weird sensation in the mouth results from using oral Clotrimazole.

There are other side effects that are not mentioned in this article. It would be best to seek medical help in such a case.

Conclusion

Clotrimazole is an anti-fungal medication used to treat many fungal infections in men and women. It is readily available at local and online pharmacies over-the-counter and with prescriptions.

It is advised not to share this medication with others and keep it out of the reach of children. Using this medication as prescribed or as directed on the information leaflet is the way to go.