Sutharex Cream contains miconazole nitrate 2%, an antifungal. It is used for fungal skin infections — ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch and Candida rashes in skin folds. It is a general-sale product, applied to the skin, and it treats fungus only.
What is Sutharex?
Sutharex Cream is registered in South Africa as Schedule 1:
| Product | Contains |
|---|---|
| Sutharex Cream | Miconazole nitrate 2% |
The same ingredient is sold under other names, including Elozart and Daktarin, and the closely related clotrimazole appears in Canex products.
Miconazole is an azole antifungal. Fungal cell membranes depend on ergosterol, a sterol human cells do not use — human membranes use cholesterol instead. Miconazole blocks the enzyme that makes ergosterol, so the fungal membrane fails and the cell dies. That difference in membrane chemistry is what makes it selective, acting on fungus while leaving skin cells alone.
Miconazole also has some activity against certain bacteria, particularly Gram-positive ones, which is occasionally useful where a fungal rash has become mildly secondarily infected. It is not a substitute for an antibiotic where a genuine bacterial infection is present.
It treats fungus only. It will not help eczema, psoriasis, bacterial infection or viral sores — and using an antifungal on a rash that is not fungal simply wastes time while the real problem continues.
What is Sutharex commonly used for?
- Ringworm (tinea corporis) — the circular, scaly, spreading rash with a raised active edge.
- Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), including between the toes.
- Jock itch (tinea cruris), in the groin.
- Fungal nappy rash, where Candida has taken hold.
- ***Candida* skin infections** in skin folds, under the breasts, in the armpits or in the groin.
- Intertrigo, inflammation in skin folds where fungus is involved.
- Fungal infections of the nail folds, though not the nail itself.
- Some cases of seborrhoeic dermatitis, where Malassezia yeast contributes.
Fungal infections need longer treatment than people expect. Continue for at least one to two weeks after the rash looks clear — stopping the moment it looks better is the single most common reason these infections recur.
Keeping the area dry does much of the work. Fungus thrives in warmth and moisture, which is why athlete’s foot and groin infections recur in the same places. Dry thoroughly after washing, particularly between the toes, change socks daily, and avoid occlusive footwear where you can.
It will not treat scalp or nail infections. Creams cannot penetrate hair follicles or the nail plate adequately — those need oral antifungal treatment, often for months.
How Sutharex fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Topical antifungals | Miconazole (Sutharex), clotrimazole, ketoconazole | Ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush |
| Antifungal + mild steroid | Elozart combination | Fungal rash that is inflamed and itchy |
| Topical corticosteroids | Hydrocortisone, betamethasone | Inflammation — eczema, dermatitis |
| Topical antibiotics | Mupirocin, fusidic acid | Bacterial skin infections |
| Oral antifungals | Fluconazole, terbinafine, griseofulvin | Extensive, scalp or nail infections |
| Antifungal shampoos | Ketoconazole shampoo | Scalp involvement, seborrhoeic dermatitis |
Using a steroid cream alone on a fungal rash makes it worse — it suppresses the local immune response so the fungus spreads while the redness fades, producing an extensive, atypical rash that is harder to diagnose. See the skin and wound care medicines hub.
What to check before using Sutharex
Apply a thin layer to the affected area and a small margin of surrounding skin, usually twice daily. The fungus extends slightly beyond the visible edge, which is why treating only what you can see leads to recurrence.
Wash and dry the area thoroughly first, particularly between the toes and in skin folds.
Continue for one to two weeks after the rash clears.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor first if you:
- Are unsure whether the rash is fungal. Eczema, psoriasis and bacterial infection can look similar and need different treatment.
- Are using it on the face, or near the eyes.
- Are treating a baby or young child, particularly for nappy rash.
- Have diabetes, or a weakened immune system — fungal infections are more common, more extensive and slower to clear.
- Have extensive or rapidly spreading infection.
- Have scalp or nail involvement, which needs oral treatment.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Take warfarin. Miconazole applied to skin can be absorbed enough to increase warfarin’s effect and raise bleeding risk — an interaction that surprises people, given it is “just a cream.”
Do not share the tube, and wash your hands after applying. Fungal infections are contagious — keep towels separate, do not share footwear, and treat athlete’s foot promptly, as it commonly spreads to the groin via a towel or by pulling underwear on over infected feet.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are local burning, stinging, itching, redness or dryness at the application site, usually mild and settling.
Stop and seek advice if you develop:
- Increasing redness, swelling, blistering or a spreading rash at the site — this may be a reaction to the cream rather than the infection worsening, and allergic contact dermatitis is easily mistaken for treatment failure.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- Skin peeling, or open sores.
Seek medical attention if:
- The rash is not improving after two weeks, or is spreading.
- The area becomes hot, painful, swollen or oozing pus — possible bacterial infection on top.
- You develop fever, or feel generally unwell.
- The infection involves the scalp, beard area or nails.
- Fungal infections keep returning, which can indicate diabetes or another underlying cause worth investigating.
- You have diabetes or a weakened immune system and the infection is not settling.
- The rash is on the face, or near the eyes.
- A foot infection is not clearing in someone with diabetes — use a much lower threshold here, as foot infections in diabetes can become serious quickly.
If a rash keeps coming back, it is worth establishing why. Recurrent fungal infection sometimes points to undiagnosed diabetes, and athlete’s foot commonly reinfects the groin unless both are treated together.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Sutharex cream used for? Fungal skin infections — ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch and Candida rashes in skin folds. It contains miconazole nitrate 2%.
Is it an antibiotic? No, it is an antifungal. It has some activity against certain bacteria, but it is not a substitute for an antibiotic where a bacterial infection is present.
How long should I use it? Continue for one to two weeks after the rash looks clear. Stopping too early is the main reason these infections return.
Can I use it on eczema? No, unless a fungal element has been identified. Eczema needs a steroid and emollients.
Can I use it on my scalp or nails? No. Creams cannot penetrate hair follicles or nail plate adequately — those need oral antifungal treatment.
Does it interact with warfarin? Yes. Miconazole applied to skin can be absorbed enough to increase warfarin’s effect and raise bleeding risk. Tell your doctor.
Why does the rash keep coming back? Often because treatment stopped too early, the area stayed damp, or athlete’s foot is reinfecting the groin. Recurrent infection can also point to undiagnosed diabetes.
Can I use it on a baby? Ask a pharmacist first, particularly for nappy rash, where the cause needs confirming.