How does eczema cream work

Hydrocortisone for skin does not affect any types of contraception, including the combined pill or the emergency contraception. Hydrocortisone does not make you sleepy, so it's safe to drive, ride a bike, or use tools and machinery when using this medicine.

Page last reviewed: 10 December Next review due: 10 December About hydrocortisone for skin Hydrocortisone skin treatments can be used to treat swelling, itching and irritation. They can help with the symptoms of: eczema psoriasis contact dermatitis prickly heat rash insect bites and stings nappy rash Most hydrocortisone skin treatments are mild and are available to buy from pharmacies. They come as: cream ointment lotion Creams for nappy rash and other skin problems in children under 10 years old are only available on prescription.

Other types of hydrocortisone There are other ways of taking or using hydrocortisone, including tablets and injections. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Most people need to use hydrocortisone treatments once or twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks. But if you buy it from a pharmacy or shop, do not use it for more than 1 week, talk to a doctor first.

Never put hydrocortisone on your face unless your doctor says it's OK and has given you a prescription for it. It can make some skin problems worse like impetigo , rosacea and acne. Only use hydrocortisone skin treatments on children under 10 years old if a doctor recommends it.

Creams you can buy are not supposed to be used on the eyes, around the bottom or genitals, or on broken or infected skin. Hydrocortisone butyrate is stronger than other types of hydrocortisone for skin.

It's only available on prescription and is known by the brand name Locoid. Tell your pharmacist or doctor before starting the medicine if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone or any other medicine have a skin infection or eye infection are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or you're breastfeeding. Hydrocortisone is available as a cream, ointment and lotion.

Hydrocortisone cream and ointment Creams are better for skin that is moist and weepy. Important: Fire warning Skin creams can dry onto your clothes and bedding. A fingertip unit is generally enough to treat both sides of your hand.

A fingertip unit of cream Credit:. How to use skin cream or ointment Wash and dry your hands and then squeeze out the right amount. Spread the cream or ointment in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin. Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction the hair grows until it disappears. Use the cream on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas.

Be careful not to get the cream into broken skin or cuts. Wash your hands afterwards unless you are treating the skin on your hands. How to use hydrocortisone skin lotion Lotion is better for treating large or hairier areas of skin. You will usually use hydrocortisone skin lotion once or twice a day. Use a small amount of lotion on the affected areas of skin.

Wash and dry your hands. Spread the lotion in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin. Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction that your hair grows.

Use the lotion on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas. Be careful not to get the lotion on broken skin or cuts. Using hydrocortisone with other skin creams Do not apply hydrocortisone at the same time as other creams or ointments such as a moisturiser. In terms of popularity, topical creams are often the first choice for consumers.

They can be used to treat a wider assortment of skin conditions and are especially useful in areas where there are heavy folds. Although creams are generally weaker than ointments, their ease of use and high rates of compliance offer advantages over other methods. When using a topical steroid, the likelihood of treatment success is directly related to how stringently you follow instructions.

If a cream is meant to be used three times a day for 14 days, complete the course as directed. Do not stop because the outward symptoms have disappeared or try to "catch up" by increasing the number of times you apply a product. It's important to also remember that the strength of a preparation is not proportional to the percentage on the label.

For example, a 0. Always read the product label, but pay close attention the class of drug you're using. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Topical corticosteroids in dermatology. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. It can present differently in different skin tones.

In this article, learn…. Eczema is linked to inflammation in the body, so eating an anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce symptoms. Learn about which foods to eliminate.

Steroid creams How do they work? Effectiveness Side effects Who can use them? How to use them Other treatments Summary Eczema can cause patches of skin to become inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough. What are steroid creams? How do they treat eczema? Side effects. Who can and who cannot use them? How to use them. Other eczema treatments. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3.

Related Coverage. Some people with severe eczema may require continuous steroid treatment. However, this should be under the close supervision of a doctor. All people with eczema should use moisturisers emollients every day to help prevent further flare-ups of eczema. Thomsen SF ; Atopic dermatitis: natural history, diagnosis, and treatment.

ISRN Allergy. Aust Fam Physician. Hajar T, Leshem YA, Hanifin JM, et al ; A systematic review of topical corticosteroid withdrawal "steroid addiction" in patients with atopic dermatitis and other dermatoses. J Am Acad Dermatol. Epub Jan My hands started itching right after they started peeling. Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions.

Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. In this series. In this article What is eczema?

What are topical steroids and how do they work? What types of topical steroids are there? When and how are topical steroids used? How do I apply topical steroids? Using topical steroids and moisturisers emollients together Are there any side-effects from topical steroids? Two common mistakes when using topical steroids.

Topical Steroids for Eczema In this article What is eczema? What is eczema? This is caused by a problem from within the body.

If you have atopic eczema you are born with a tendency for your skin to become inflamed. Various parts of the skin tend to flare up with inflammation from time to time, usually on both sides of your body. Contact dermatitis. This is caused by a substance from outside the body. This typically causes patches of inflammation on areas of skin which have come into contact with the substance.

If you avoid the offending substance, the skin inflammation should go away. Suffer from dermatitis? Book a private appointment with a local pharmacist today to discover treatment options Book now. Previous article Moisturisers for Eczema Emollients.