Antifungal creams for athlete’s foot, jock itch and ringworm fall into two groups. Some kill the fungus, and others stop it growing. That difference mostly affects how long you need to use them.

The main options

• Butenafine 1% (sold as Lotrimin Ultra, and as Mentax): kills the fungus.
  Athlete’s foot between the toes: twice a day for 1 week, or once a day for 4 weeks. Jock itch and ringworm: once a day for 2 weeks.
• Terbinafine 1% (Lamisil AT): kills the fungus.
  Athlete’s foot between the toes: twice a day for 1 week. On the bottom or sides of the foot: twice a day for 2 weeks. Jock itch and ringworm: once a day for 1 week.
• Clotrimazole 1% and miconazole 2%: stop the fungus growing.
  Usually twice a day for 2 to 4 weeks.

All of these are available without a prescription and are suitable for adults and children aged 12 and over (2 and over for clotrimazole and miconazole). Ask a doctor for younger children.

Which is best?

All work well when used correctly. Butenafine and terbinafine clear infections in a shorter course, which makes it easier to finish treatment. Clotrimazole and miconazole are cheaper and widely available, and they also work against yeast (Candida) infections in skin folds.

The most common reason treatment fails is stopping too early, when the skin looks better but the fungus is still there.

Tips for using antifungal creams

• Wash and dry the area thoroughly, including between the toes, before applying.
• Apply a thin layer to the rash and about 2 cm (1 inch) of the skin around it.
• Wash your hands afterwards.
• Finish the full course on the label.
• Keep the area dry, change socks and underwear daily, and don’t share towels.

See a doctor if

The rash hasn’t improved after the full course, it’s spreading, the skin is cracked, oozing or very painful, it affects the scalp or nails, or you have diabetes or a weak immune system.

Related guides: how to get rid of athlete’s foot and jock itch vs ringworm.

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More in our Skin and Fungal Infections guide: all our articles and products on this topic in one place.

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label before using any medicine.

Imodium contains loperamide, which slows down the gut so more water is absorbed and stools become firmer. It works well for short bouts of diarrhoea, but it’s important to stick to the dose on the label.

Dose for adults and children 12 and over

• 4 mg (2 capsules or tablets) after the first loose stool.
• Then 2 mg after each further loose stool.
• Don’t take more than 8 mg in 24 hours unless a doctor tells you to.

Dose for children

• 9 to 11 years (60 to 95 lb): 2 mg after the first loose stool, then 1 mg after each further loose stool. No more than 6 mg in 24 hours.
• 6 to 8 years (48 to 59 lb): 2 mg after the first loose stool, then 1 mg after each further loose stool. No more than 4 mg in 24 hours.
• Under 6: ask a doctor. Loperamide isn’t suitable for children under 2.

Liquid forms are easier for measuring children’s doses. Always use the measuring device that comes with the product.

How long to use it

Don’t use loperamide for more than 2 days. See a doctor if diarrhoea lasts longer.

Don’t use loperamide if you have

• blood or black colour in your stools
• a high fever
• diarrhoea after taking antibiotics, unless a doctor advises it

In these cases, slowing the gut can keep an infection inside for longer.

Never take more than the label says

The FDA has warned that taking much higher doses than recommended can cause serious heart rhythm problems and death. Check with a pharmacist if you take other medicines, as some can raise loperamide levels in the blood.

Drink plenty of fluids

Diarrhoea causes the body to lose water and salts. Sip water often, and use oral rehydration solution for children, older adults or anyone with a lot of diarrhoea. See a doctor for signs of dehydration: very dark urine, dizziness or a dry mouth.

More help: how to stop diarrhea fast and travellers’ diarrhoea.

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More in our Digestive Health guide: all our articles and products on this topic in one place.

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label before using any medicine.

Dulcolax tablets contain bisacodyl, a stimulant laxative that makes the bowel muscles contract to move stool along. Knowing how long it takes helps you time it so it works when it suits you, not in the middle of your commute.

How long it takes

• Tablets: usually 6 to 12 hours. That’s why they’re normally taken at bedtime, for a bowel movement the next morning.
• Suppositories: much faster, usually 15 to 60 minutes.

How to take bisacodyl tablets

• Adults and children 12 and over: 1 to 3 tablets (5 to 15 mg) once a day. Start with the lowest dose.
• Children 6 to 11: 1 tablet (5 mg) once a day.
• Children under 6: ask a doctor.
• Swallow tablets whole with water. Don’t crush or chew them.
• Don’t take them within 1 hour of antacids, milk or dairy. These can dissolve the protective coating too early and cause stomach irritation and cramps.

Side effects

Stomach cramps, discomfort and diarrhoea are the most common. Taking the lowest dose that works reduces them. Stop and see a doctor if you have rectal bleeding or don’t have a bowel movement after using a laxative.

How long can you use it?

Don’t use bisacodyl for more than 7 days in a row unless a doctor advises it. Stimulant laxatives are meant for occasional constipation. If you need them regularly, see a doctor to look for the cause.

Check with a doctor first if you

• have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
• notice a sudden change in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Try these too

Fibre, fluids and activity help prevent constipation coming back. See our guide to constipation relief: quick fixes and habits.

Shop Dulcolax (Bisacodyl).

More in our Digestive Health guide: all our articles and products on this topic in one place.

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label before using any medicine.

Diclofenac 1% gel is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever you rub onto the skin. In the US it’s available without a prescription for arthritis pain. Because it acts where you apply it, much less reaches the bloodstream than with tablets, so stomach side effects are less likely.

What it’s used for

Diclofenac gel is approved over the counter for arthritis pain in the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and feet. It works best for joints close to the skin. It isn’t meant for the back, hips or shoulders.

How to use it

• Use the dosing card in the pack to measure the right amount: usually 2 g for each upper-body joint (hand, wrist, elbow) and 4 g for each lower-body joint (knee, ankle, foot).
• Apply up to 4 times a day and gently rub it into the whole painful area.
• Don’t use more than 32 g a day in total.
• Wash your hands afterwards, unless you’re treating your hands. In that case wait at least 1 hour before washing them.
• Don’t cover the area with a tight bandage or use a heating pad on it, and don’t shower for an hour after applying.
• It can take up to 7 days to feel the full effect. Don’t use it for more than 21 days without talking to a doctor.

Side effects

The most common are skin reactions where it’s applied: redness, itching, dryness or a rash. Stop using it if your skin blisters or swells. Serious side effects are rare but, as with all NSAIDs, can include stomach bleeding, heart problems and kidney problems.

Who should avoid it or check first

• Don’t use it if you’ve had an allergic reaction or asthma attack after taking aspirin or another NSAID, or right before or after heart surgery.
• Avoid it in the last part of pregnancy, from 20 weeks onwards, unless a doctor advises it.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding, or take blood thinners, diuretics or other pain relievers.
• Don’t use it at the same time as NSAID tablets such as ibuprofen or naproxen without advice.
• Don’t apply it to broken or infected skin, or near the eyes or mouth.

See a doctor if

Pain gets worse or lasts more than 21 days, a joint becomes hot, red and swollen, or you have chest pain, shortness of breath, black stools or weakness on one side of the body.

Shop Diclofenac Gel. Staying active helps joints too: see walking for health and weight loss.

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This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label before using any medicine.

Intermittent fasting means limiting eating to certain times of the day or week. It has become one of the most popular ways to lose weight. Here’s what the evidence says and who it suits.

Common types

• Time-restricted eating (such as 16:8): eat within an 8-hour window, for example 11 am to 7 pm, and fast for the other 16 hours.
• 5:2: eat normally on 5 days and about 500 to 600 calories on 2 non-consecutive days.
• Alternate-day fasting: alternate normal days with very low calorie days.

Does it work?

Studies show intermittent fasting leads to weight loss, mainly because people eat fewer calories overall. When researchers compare it with ordinary daily calorie cutting, results are generally similar. It isn’t magic, but some people find it easier to follow because there are fewer decisions about food.

Tips if you want to try it

• Start gently, for example with a 12-hour overnight fast, and extend it gradually.
• Drink water, and black coffee or tea, during fasting periods.
• Make meals count: protein, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Eating very large or sugary meals in the eating window cancels out the benefit.
• Keep up activity and sleep.

Possible side effects

Hunger, headaches, tiredness, irritability and difficulty concentrating are common at first and usually ease within a few weeks.

Who should not try it without medical advice

• People with diabetes, especially those taking insulin or sulfonylureas, because of the risk of low blood sugar.
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Anyone with a history of an eating disorder.
• Children and teenagers.
• People who take medicines that must be taken with food, or who have a medical condition such as low blood pressure.

The bottom line

Intermittent fasting is one option, not the only one. The best approach is the one you can keep up. If it leaves you feeling unwell or preoccupied with food, stop and try a different approach.

See also: how to lose weight safely and protein for weight loss.

More in our Weight Management guide: all our articles on this topic in one place.

This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label before using any medicine.