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

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please ensure the doctor or health care professional treating you is aware of your pregnancy. This factsheet has been written for members of the public by the UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS). UKTIS is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on behalf of UK Health Departments. UKTIS has been providing scientific information to health care providers since 1983 on the effects that medicines, recreational drugs and chemicals may have on the developing baby during pregnancy.

In addition, chemists are duty-bound to warn you of all possible side effects.
The side effects that people worry about are thinning of the skin and suppression of the bodies own natural production of steroids which could affect growth.
If you’re using a treatment you’ve bought from a pharmacy or shop, speak to your doctor if you still have symptoms after 1 week, or if your skin gets worse at any time.

Overall, the available data does not raise concern that topical corticosteroids when used as prescribed can harm a baby in the womb. However, steroid treatments come in different ‘strengths’ (the medical term for this is ‘steroid potency’). No studies have accurately investigated outcomes in pregnant women only using potent topical corticosteroids.

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This is because the risk to your baby from uncontrolled asthma is higher than from the medication. However, they’re not usually recommended unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. However, they should be avoided or used with caution if you have an ongoing infection or a blood clotting disorder (like haemophilia).

Generally, you should only use it for short periods if using it for eczema or a fungal infection.
The length of cream or ointment expelled from a tube may be used to specify the quantity to be applied to a given area of skin.
Topical corticosteroids should be spread thinly on the skin but in sufficient quantity to cover the affected areas.
It should be enough to treat an area of skin double the size of the flat of your hand with your fingers together.

It is worth noting that there is a huge difference between the creams prescribed for eczema and high doses of cortisone taken orally. Topical corticosteroids are contraindicated in acne; perioral dermatitis; rosacea (in adults); untreated bacterial, fungal or viral skin lesions. Potent corticosteroids are contraindicated in widespread plaque psoriasis. Topical corticosteroids with antimicrobial agent should only be used short-term, where infection of the skin is present.

Steroid tablets

This is a card which lets healthcare professionals and emergency workers know you are prescribed a steroid and has the details of your medicine and dose. Try to avoid washing your hair within an hour of using the steroid cream, and don’t apply other creams like moisturisers or serums at the same time. Here are some of the most common steroid creams for hair loss, and how effective they are. The active ingredient in Eumovate is clobetasone, a moderately potent corticosteroid that reduces redness, itching and swelling.

Hydrocortisone for skin – Brand names: Dermacort, Dioderm, Derma Care, HC45, Zenoxone, Pinewood’s, Lanocort, Mildison Lipocream

Corticosteroids can weaken your immune system and make you more vulnerable to infection. This means you should avoid any live vaccine until at least 3 months after your course of corticosteroids has finished. Please take time to read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. The recommended course of treatment largely depends on weighing up the benefits of corticosteroids against the side effects.

You’re more likely to have a serious side effect if you use a strong hydrocortisone treatment (such as hydrocortisone butyrate) or if you use hydrocortisone on a large patch of skin https://pharmacybsn.com for a long time. Most people do not have any side effects when they use them for less than 4 weeks. Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (corticosteroid).

Corticosteroids, often known as steroids, are an anti-inflammatory medicine. They are preferable if your skin is dry, whereas moist or weepy skin is best treated with a cream. Using a cream or ointment allows the medicine to be applied directly to the inflamed area of skin. Clobetasol propionate is also among the least painful treatments for alopecia areata, while providing moderate hair regrowth [6].

Many studies have shown that used appropriately, the symptoms of eczema can be rapidly controlled without side effects. Provide information about your pregnancy to help women in the future. The HIV medication may increase the level of corticosteroid in your body. Corticosteroids can decrease the effectiveness of medications used to treat diabetes.

Skin Conditions

If a steroid cream has been prescribed to you for a scalp condition, it should be safe. However, you may experience side effects; always check the label so you know what to expect. Another option for scalp dermatitis is Elocon Scalp Lotion, which uses the equally potent steroid mometasone. Elocon moisturises the skin and slows the growth rate of skin cells (relieving psoriasis symptoms).