Canesten 1% Clotrimazole Cream (50g). Canesten Cream is used to treat fungal skin infections such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, fungal nappy rash and fungal sweat rash.. It is also used to relieve irritation of the vulva (external thrush) or the end of the penis, which may be associated with thrush.. If you are unsure whether you (or your baby if treating nappy rash) have one of these fungal skin infections, seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.. The active substance in Canesten Cream is clotrimazole. Clotrimazole belongs to a group of medicines called imidazoles and is an antifungal agent which fights the cause of fungal skin infections.