The UK government's Department of Health and Social Care has advised that Typharm Group's Nystaform HC Cream should be considered a ‘like-for-like’ alternative following the discontinuation of Daktacort 2%/1%.

GPs and other healthcare professionals have been encouraged to issue primary and any replacement prescriptions for suitable like-for-like alternatives to Daktacort.

Nystaform HC Cream, which contains an antifungal (nystatin), an antibacterial (chlorhexidine) and 0.5% hydrocortisone, is indicated to treat skin infections caused by fungi, bacteria, or both, such as ringworm, athlete’s foot and infected nappy rash.

Results from a recent real-world study, undertaken on behalf of Nystaform HC Cream, demonstrated that most of the UK population currently have a skin condition or have previously been affected by one.

The data showed that 70% of respondents said that they have had experience with eczema, 51% have had athlete’s foot, 29% noted dermatitis as a problem, 25% said they had psoriasis and 83% of respondents with children aged under three years said their child gets nappy rash.

“Skin conditions often have a toxic impact on patients’ quality of life,” said Dr Nisa Aslam, a GP and an adviser to the Skin Life Sciences Foundation, an information body funded by Typharm which aims to help tackle skin issues and improve education and awareness of skin matters 

Aslam continued: “Along with the discomfort and pain that one might first think of, they can also trigger issues such as anxiety, sleep disruption, depression – particularly when they are aggravated by secondary infection. 

“Nystaform HC Cream combines an anti-fungal, an antibacterial and a mild corticosteroid to cause vasoconstriction and an antipruritic effect.”