What Doctors Don't Tell YouAs a long-term sufferer of tinea cruris [a fungal infection causing genital itching], I read Harald Gaier’s column with interest (WDDTY vol 14 no 6). However, I’m afraid I’ve gone full circle with the remedy he suggested – Whitfield’s ointment.
I went to health shops to see if they stocked it, but they didn’t. I rang the Diagnostic Clinic and was given the number of Dajani, in London, who told me it is also known as Toepedo. They also said that any pharmacy could order it. So I ordered it from Boots, but could see no mention of Whitfield’s ointment on the packet. I bought it anyway, but was very disappointed to later read that it should not be applied to the genital area because of its contents. I rang Dajani, who suggested I try Daktarin Gold. – Helen Saunders, via e-mail
WDDTY replies: Whitfield’s ointment, a benzoic acid compound, may be difficult to find, but it can indeed be ordered from your high-street chemist. Toepedo, as the name suggests, is for athlete’s foot. The active ingredient in Daktarin Gold is ketoconazole (Nizoral).
Daniel Redwood DC
Tom Ferguson MD
