Candizole is clotrimazole, an antifungal. The skin cream treats athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch and skin thrush; Candizole V is a vaginal cream for vaginal thrush. Both are available from a pharmacy without a prescription.
What is Candizole?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists two products, both Schedule 1:
| Product | Form | Contains |
|---|---|---|
| Candizole | Cream | Clotrimazole 20 mg / 20 g (1%) |
| Candizole V | Vaginal cream | Clotrimazole 50 mg / 5 g |
The V matters — it marks the vaginal preparation, which comes with an applicator and is used internally. The plain cream is for skin.
Clotrimazole is an azole antifungal. Fungal cell membranes depend on ergosterol, a substance human cells do not use; clotrimazole blocks the enzyme that makes it, so the fungal membrane fails while the surrounding skin is unaffected. That selectivity is why an antifungal cream can be used on ordinary skin for weeks with very little trouble.
It works against both main groups of skin fungi: dermatophytes, which cause athlete’s foot and ringworm, and Candida, the yeast behind thrush and most skin-fold infections. That breadth makes it the general-purpose first choice.
Clotrimazole is sold here under many names including Canex V, Clomaderm, Closcript and Canesten. Being given one instead of another is ordinary substitution.
What is Candizole commonly used for?
The skin cream:
- Athlete’s foot — itching, peeling and cracking between the toes and on the soles.
- Ringworm — the round scaly patch with a raised edge and clearer centre. Nothing to do with worms.
- Jock itch — fungal infection of the groin and inner thighs.
- Skin-fold infections — under the breasts, in the groin, in abdominal folds.
- Nappy rash complicated by thrush, where a barrier cream has not worked.
- Candida at the corners of the mouth and around nails.
- Pityriasis versicolor — pale or darker patches on the back and chest.
- Male genital thrush.
Candizole V:
- Vaginal thrush — itching, soreness, burning, and thick white discharge often described as like cottage cheese.
- Thrush after antibiotics, which is common.
What it does not treat:
- Fungal nail infection. A cream cannot penetrate the nail plate — these need a lacquer or oral treatment over months.
- Scalp ringworm. Hair follicles are too deep. This needs oral treatment, and it matters — untreated scalp ringworm in children can scar and cause permanent hair loss.
- Eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis, which are inflammation rather than infection.
- Bacterial infection — spreading redness, heat, pus or fever needs antibiotics.
Not every vaginal symptom is thrush, and this prevents most wasted treatment. Bacterial vaginosis produces thin grey discharge with a fishy smell and needs metronidazole. Trichomoniasis produces frothy yellow-green discharge and is a sexually transmitted infection needing partner treatment. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea often cause no symptoms at all. If a thrush treatment has not worked, the usual reason is that the problem was never thrush.
How Candizole fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Treats |
|---|---|---|
| Topical azole antifungals | Clotrimazole (Candizole, Canex V), miconazole | Fungal and yeast infections of skin and vagina |
| Terbinafine | Terbinafine cream and tablets | Dermatophytes; often shorter courses |
| Oral antifungals | Fluconazole | Thrush, nail and scalp infection, stubborn cases |
| Topical steroids | Betamethasone (Clomaderm) | Inflammation — not infection |
| Topical antibiotics | Mupirocin, fusidic acid | Bacterial skin infection |
| Nitroimidazoles | Metronidazole | Bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis |
The fourth row is where most treatment failures start: a steroid cream on a fungal rash calms the redness while the fungus spreads, producing a larger, atypical rash that is harder to recognise. See the skin and wound care hub.
What to check before using Candizole
Be reasonably confident the rash is fungal. Fungal rashes are itchy, scaly, spread outwards with a defined edge, and often clear in the centre. A pharmacist can usually tell at a glance.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:
- The rash is on the face, scalp or nails, or near the eyes.
- The skin is broken, weeping, crusted or very painful, or there is spreading redness or fever.
- You have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Fungal infections are more frequent and more stubborn, and recurrent thrush occasionally uncovers undiagnosed diabetes.
- You are treating an infant or young child.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding. Vaginal clotrimazole is commonly used in pregnancy, but confirm — and use it without an applicator unless advised otherwise.
- This is your first episode of vaginal symptoms, or you are under 16 or over 60.
- Vaginal symptoms come with fever, pelvic pain, an unpleasant smell, unusual bleeding, or sores.
Using it properly is where most failures are decided:
- Apply a thin layer two or three times daily as directed.
- Extend a couple of centimetres beyond the visible edge — the fungus reaches further than the rash.
- Continue for one to two weeks after the skin looks normal. Stopping when it looks clear is the commonest cause of recurrence. Courses often run two to four weeks, longer on the feet.
- Wash and dry thoroughly first, especially between the toes, and wash your hands afterwards.
- For Candizole V: insert at bedtime, lying down. Vaginal antifungals damage latex condoms and diaphragms — use additional contraception during treatment and for at least five days after. Do not use tampons while treating.
- For feet: change socks daily, alternate shoes, and treat footwear where possible.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Side effects are usually mild and local — stinging, burning, redness, itching or peeling. Very little is absorbed through intact skin.
Stop and seek advice if the treated area becomes more inflamed, blistered or intensely itchy — a reaction to the cream can look like the infection worsening.
Get emergency help for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
It is for external use only. Keep it away from the eyes.
Contact a doctor if:
- There is no improvement after two weeks, or the rash is spreading.
- Infection involves nails or scalp.
- Infections keep recurring, or vaginal thrush returns within two months or more than twice in six months.
- The area becomes hot, swollen, painful or oozing pus, or you develop a fever.
- You have diabetes or reduced immunity and an infection is not settling.
- Your partner has symptoms — male genital thrush is treatable, and untreated it can pass back.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Candizole cream used for? Fungal skin infections — athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, skin-fold infections and skin thrush. It contains clotrimazole 1%.
What is Candizole V used for? Vaginal thrush. It is a vaginal cream used with an applicator, and it is a different product from the skin cream.
Do I need a prescription? No. Both are Schedule 1, available from a pharmacy.
How long does it take to work? Itching often eases within days, but continue for one to two weeks after the skin looks normal — usually two to four weeks in total.
Can I use it on nails or my scalp? No. Creams cannot penetrate nails or reach hair follicles. Those need oral treatment.
Can I use it for eczema? No. Eczema is inflammation, not infection, and needs an emollient and usually a steroid cream.
Will it affect condoms? Candizole V will. Vaginal antifungals weaken latex condoms and diaphragms — use additional contraception during treatment and for at least five days after.
Why does my athlete’s foot keep coming back? Usually because treatment stopped too early, footwear stayed infected, or a fungal nail infection is reseeding the skin.