Sometimes hydrocortisone is mixed with antimicrobials (chemicals that kill germs). This is used to treat skin problems caused by bacterial or fungal infections. Creams for nappy rash and other skin problems in children under 10 years old are only available on prescription.
If you’ve taken steroid tablets for more than a few days, they can cause side effects known as withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly. You might be given a small dose, known as a maintenance dose, for a long time to make sure your symptoms don’t return. The active ingredient that Hydrocortisone products contain is hydrocortisone acetate, a mild corticosteroid that helps to tackle skin flare-ups, itching and soreness. Because of this, Hydrocortisone 1% and Hc45 cream can be used to treat a variety of inflammatory skin reactions and allergies including insect bites and stings.
It’s very unlikely that other medicines – either prescribed or ones you buy from a pharmacy or shop – will affect the way hydrocortisone works. You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. In rare cases, using hydrocortisone for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers. Using hydrocortisone for many months at a time can make your skin thinner or cause stretchmarks.
If you’re taking high doses of steroids, or if you’re on them for more than three weeks, you’ll need to carry a steroid card. This will have information on your dose and how long you’ve been taking them for. If you need to take medication for diabetes with corticosteroids, your blood glucose levels will usually need to be checked more regularly. For most people, steroid inhalers and steroid injections shouldn’t cause any bad side effects.
The preferred formulation for corticosteroids is usually ointment as they are more moisturising than cream, and contain less or no preservatives. Potency of a topical corticosteroid preparation is a result of the formulation as well as the corticosteroid. The potency of steroid should be matched to the severity of the disease, using the least potent steroid that effectively controls the disease.
If you’ve been taking corticosteroids for a while, you may also need tests before you stop taking them. These will make sure that your adrenal glands are still working properly. Please take time to read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Pharmacies sell hydrocortisone skin cream up to a maximum 1% strength. If you’re using a steroid cream it’s fine to have vaccinations, but you’ll need to tell the person giving you the injection to avoid the area being treated with the cream. If you have any questions or concerns about this, talk to the healthcare professional who prescribed your steroids.
Most people do not have any side effects when they use them for less than 4 weeks. Most people need to use hydrocortisone cream or ointment once or twice a day. If you use it twice a day, try to leave https://windstarhealth.com a gap of 8 to 12 hours before putting on any more. When using hydrocortisone on your skin, follow the instructions from your pharmacist, doctor or the leaflet that comes with your treatment.
Overnight occlusion only is usually adequate to bring about a satisfactory response. Thereafter improvement can usually be maintained by application without occlusion. Repeated short courses of clobetasol propionate may be used to control exacerbations.
Taking steroid tablets for a long time can make you more likely to get infections. If you feel feverish or unwell, or develop any new symptoms after starting steroids, it’s important to tell your doctor or rheumatology nurse. You won’t be able to have steroid creams or gels if you have an infection that affects your skin. Some other skin problems, such as rosacea, acne and ulcers, can be made worse by steroid creams so you might not be able to take them if you have any of these conditions.
