Hydrocortisone for skin: a steroid medicine for treating eczema, psoriasis and insect bites

Mild corticosteroids, such as clobetasone, hydrocortisone skin cream and hydrocortisone for piles and itchy bottom, can often be bought over the counter from pharmacies. For further information on using topical corticosteroids safely please see the full Drug Safety Update article and Patient Safety Leaflet. Topical steroid creams can also be combined with antibiotics to treat infected skin conditions.

• The preferred formulation for corticosteroids is usually ointment as they are more moisturising than cream, and contain less or no preservatives.
• The active ingredient that Hydrocortisone products contain is hydrocortisone acetate, a mild corticosteroid that helps to tackle skin flare-ups, itching and soreness.
• The recommended course of treatment largely depends on weighing up the benefits of corticosteroids against the side effects.
• Very potent topical corticosteroids are not usually prescribed for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for very young children.

As with other treatments though, they can have side-effects including after you stop using them. It’s very important people know how to use topical corticosteroids safely and effectively. We urge people who are affected to read the newly published patient safety leaflet and to speak to their doctor or other prescriber if they have questions and concerns. Patients should follow their healthcare professional’s advice on where, how often and for how long to use topical corticosteroids.

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Do not apply hydrocortisone at the same time as other creams or ointments such as a moisturiser. Wait at least 10 minutes https://niravhealth.com between using hydrocortisone and any other product. Try to use different skin products at different times of the day.

• Most people only need to use the medicine once or twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks.
• This is based on the whole area being treated therefore if only a proportion of the area is affected the number of FTU should be adjusted accordingly.
• However, they should be avoided or used with caution if you have an ongoing infection or a blood clotting disorder (like haemophilia).
• It may also be used as a preventative measure for flare-ups and has very few side effects for adults and children.

Squeeze the topical steroid in a line from the last finger crease to the fingertip. One FTU would be sufficient to treat an area equivalent to two adult handprints. Due to people having different needs and reactions, there’s no singular answer to this question.

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It should be enough to treat an area of skin double the size of the flat of your hand with your fingers together. Gently smooth a thin layer onto your skin in the direction the hair grows. Stronger types, such as beclometasone, betamethasone, clobetasol, fluticasone and mometasone, are only available on prescription. Other strengths of hydrocortisone cream or ointment are considered to be non-Formulary.

Corticosteroids can also be used to replace certain hormones that aren’t naturally produced by the body. Corticosteroids are mainly used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Topical corticosteroid preparations should be applied no more frequently than twice daily; once daily is often sufficient. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today.

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The recommended dosage will depend on what part of the body is being treated. This is because the skin is thinner in certain parts of the body and more sensitive to the effects of corticosteroids. Most people only need to use the medicine once or twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks. Occasionally a doctor may suggest using it less frequently over a longer period of time.

Withdrawal side effects

They are used to control the symptoms of severe eczema, as well as other inflammatory skin conditions when they flare-up. Very potent topical corticosteroids are not usually prescribed for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for very young children. Sometimes you may be prescribed them under the supervision of a skincare specialist (dermatologist).

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For our current job vacancies, please visit the careers section. However, they can be extremely successful in helping to relieve symptoms like itching, irritation and skin flare-ups. Using hydrocortisone cream does not stop you or your child having vaccinations.

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Many of the creams and ointments used for skin conditions are based on cortisone and are in the family of medicines called “steroids”. They are used to take the inflammation (angriness) out of the skin. They work for many hours in the skin, so need only be put on once or possibly twice a day. Most topical corticosteroids are considered safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.