Is Hydrocortisone Cream Safe For Babies
The short answer is maybe. Theres no concrete consensus. While some experts have a strict no-hydrocortisone-cream policy for babies, others say you can use it as long as you follow certain instructions.
Specifically, the concern is that the affected area shouldnt be covered during use. But if you use hydrocortisone cream to treat diaper rash, theres a chance that babys skin will absorb more of the hydrocortisone than if the irritated area were left uncovered.
So, if you want to use hydrocortisone cream to use diaper rash and your doctor approves, you should avoid putting tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on your baby.
Likewise, many experts recommend shortening the maximum usage period from 7 days to 4 or 5 days.
Can Hydrocortisone Cause Problems
Short courses of hydrocortisone are usually safe and do not cause any problems. If used for long periods, topical steroids can thin your skin, or you may develop permanent stretchmarks, allergic contact dermatitis, acne, rosacea, and hair growth at the site of application. Although such side-effects from a mild topical steroid like hydrocortisone occur only rarely, you can reduce the risk further by applying the preparation thinly, no more than twice a day, and to the affected areas only.
There is a risk of fire when creams and ointments are absorbed by fabrics , making them flammable. A spark or flame can easily ignite the fabric. The risk is highest when large amounts of paraffin-based products are applied and absorb into fabrics. However there is also a risk when non-paraffin products are used. Be aware of this fire hazard when repeatedly using large amounts of any skin product. Do not smoke or go near naked flames. When used as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, steroid creams will be applied in small quantities on small areas of skin. There should be minimal absorption into fabrics and a lower risk of fire.
What May Interact With This Medication
Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other skin products on the affected area without asking your care team.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Can I Use Hydrocortisone Cream For Acne
Hydrocortisone cream usually isnt the best treatment for acne and it shouldnt be used on the face unless youre specifically told to by your doctor.
This is because steroid creams like hydrocortisone can sometimes be too strong for the delicate skin of your face, and can cause skin damage or make your acne worse.
If youre suffering from acne and think that hydrocortisone cream could help, you should speak to your doctor.
Theyll examine your acne and determine whether hydrocortisone cream would be right for you, or whether you should use a different treatment.
Eczema Or Winter Itch

Sometimes in the winter, when I take my socks off, a plume of dead skin cells flies into the air like confetti at a party. Nasty, I know. Embarrassing too, given my profession. And that ash can itch. This condition is called winter itch and is a form of eczema. To remedy the discomfort, I lube up my legs with Vaseline during the day and dab a bit of steroid cream on at night to reduce the itch.
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How To Use Cortisone Cream
There are many hydrocortisone products available. Many can be purchased without a prescription. Some products require a prescription. Consult your doctor or pharmacist on the choice of the product that is best for you.
Use this medication on the skin only. However, do not use it on the face or underarms unless directed to do so by your doctor. Some products are meant to be used on the scalp for various conditions. To correctly use these products, follow the directions on the product package.
Wash and dry your hands before using. Clean and dry the affected area. If you are using the lotion or foam, shake it well just before using. If you are using the spray, check the product package to see if it needs to be shaken before each use. Apply a small amount of medication to the affected area and gently rub in, usually up to 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor or the product package. Dosage and length of treatment depends on the type of condition being treated. Do not bandage, cover, or wrap the area unless directed to do so by your doctor. If used in or near the diaper area on an infant, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants.
After applying the medication, wash your hands, unless the hands are being treated. Avoid getting this medication in the eyes, nose, or mouth. If you get the medication in these areas, rinse with plenty of water. If irritation occurs or continues, contact your doctor right away.
What Are Some Things I Need To Know Or Do While I Take Anusol
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take Anusol-HC . This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs or products on your skin.
- Do not put on cuts, scrapes, or damaged skin.
- Use care when putting on a large part of the skin or where there are open wounds. Talk with the doctor.
- This medicine may cause harm if swallowed. If Anusol-HC is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
- Do not use Anusol-HC for longer than you were told by your doctor.
- Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
- This medicine may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
- If you are breast-feeding and use Anusol-HC on your breast or nipple, wash the area before breast-feeding your child.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
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Buy Hydrocortisone Cream For Eczema
To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a suitable treatment. You will only be charged if treatment is prescribed.
Hydrocortisone cream 1% + Aveeno Lotion | from £30 |
Hydrocortisone ointment 1% + Aveeno Lotion | from £30 |
Hydrocortisone cream 1% + Cetraben Cream | from £30 |
Hydrocortisone ointment 1% + Cetraben Cream | from £30 |
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steroid medicine
Check If You Can Take Topical Corticosteroids
Most adults and children aged 12 or older can use mild topical corticosteroids safely.
Do not use a topical corticosteroid if you have:
- widespread psoriasis and dermatitis around the mouth or nose
Children aged 12 or older can also use mild topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone.
Only use more potent or stronger topical corticosteroids in children if your GP advises it.
Continuous use of a topical corticosteroid in children may affect the child’s growth.
Always give your child the correct dose and only for the length of time recommended by the GP
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Get Urgent Medical Help If You Develop An Allergic Reaction
Please Note
All medication can cause side effects. We have only listed a few to be aware of. Details of all side effects, including rare side effects to be aware of, are listed in the patient information leaflet . When completing your medical questionnaire, it is very important that you answer the questions truthfully. This is to ensure your doctor has a full picture of your medical history before prescribing. List all medicines you are already taking, including non-prescription and herbal medicines.
Looking after your medicine
Do not take medicines after the expiry date stamped on the pack. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Medicines are only intended to be used by the person they are prescribed for. Do not give your prescribed medicine to anybody else, even if they have the same symptoms as you. Medicines can be harmful if used by anybody other than the person they have been prescribed for.
References
What Should I Watch For While Using This Medication
Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
This medication can damage and reduce the effect of latex-containing products such as condoms and diaphragms. Avoid contact of this medication with latex-containing products throw away any products that are exposed to this medication.
Do not use this medication for diaper rash unless directed to do so by your health care provider. If applying this medication to the diaper area, do not cover with tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants. This may increase the amount of medication that passes through the skin and increase the risk of serious effects.
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Who Can And Cannot Use Hydrocortisone Skin Treatments
Most adults and children aged 10 years and over can use hydrocortisone skin treatments.
Do not use hydrocortisone skin treatments on children under 10 years old unless their doctor recommends it.
Hydrocortisone is not suitable for some people. 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
The Best Products With Hydrocortisone

Along with hydrocortisone, this also boasts a triple oat complex colloidal oats are a choice skin soother to help further reduce inflammation, says Zeichner. The formula also boasts soothing aloe and vitamin E.
Aloe, linseed oil, honey, and hyaluronic acid make this nice and moisturizing, helping to combat the dryness that can often occur when you’re trying to knock out a pimple. . It’s a bit pricey yes, but one tube lasts forever, and since hydrocortisone can be used for so many things, you are getting a good bang for your buck.
Dermatologists love this brand for its use of ceramides, which play an essential role in keeping your skin barrier strong and healthy. They’re found in this OTC hydrocortisone as well, making this an especially great pick if you’re looking for a product that you can use not only as an emergency spot treatment but also to tamp down eczema flares.
A drugstore staple, this option is readily-available and rings in at a very wallet-friendly price tag. It’s non-greasy, penetrates quickly, and also contains skin-calming aloe.
Vanicream is another brand beloved by derms, given that their products are geared towards sensitive skin. Case in point: This formula is fragrance-, paraben-, and dye-free, all common irritants. Plus, it’s also non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging pores.
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How To Use The Hydrocortisone Cream Correctly
The cream should be applied to damaged skin areas, not in large areas. Apply only a thin layer and make sure you wash your hands well after applying the cream .
After Hydrocortisone cream is dry and absorbed into the skin, apply a moisturizer such as Diprobase or Cetraben.
Hydrocortisone cream is recommended to apply 3 or 4 times a day. However, you can apply it twice daily if your symptoms begin to improve. Conversely, if after a few weeks and symptoms do not improve, tell your doctor for a better solution.
When you decide to stop using hydrocortisone cream, stretch the time gradually, and then stop altogether. This is because when you use the cream for a period of time and suddenly stop using it, your skin condition may recur.
Hydrocortisone Cream Dosage And Administration
Topical corticosteroids are generally applied to the affected area as a thin film from two to four times daily depending on the severity of the condition.
Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or recalcitrant conditions. If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy instituted.
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Uses Of Topical Corticosteroids
Topical corticosteroids are used to treat conditions such as:
- eczema such as atopic eczema
- seborrhoeic dermatitis causes symptoms such as dandruff and scaly patches on the skin
- lichen planus a condition that causes an itchy, non-infectious rash
- discoid lupus erythematosus a type of lupus that usually only affects the skin
- skin irritation caused by insect bites or stings
Topical corticosteroids cannot cure these conditions but can help relieve the symptoms.
What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Anusol
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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What Is This Medication
HYDROCORTISONE reduces swelling, redness, itching, and rashes caused by skin conditions, such as eczema. It works by decreasing inflammation of the skin. It belongs to a group of medications called topical steroids.
This medicine may be used for other purposes ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME: Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalp, Anusol HC, Aqua Glycolic HC, Balneol for Her, Caldecort, Cetacort, Cortaid, Cortaid Advanced, Cortaid Intensive Therapy, Cortaid Sensitive Skin, CortAlo, Corticaine, Corticool, Cortizone, Cortizone-10, Cortizone-10 Cooling Relief, Cortizone-10 Intensive Healing, Cortizone-10 Plus, Dermarest Dricort, Dermarest Eczema, DERMASORB HC Complete, Gly-Cort, Hycort, Hydro Skin, Hydrocortisone in Absorbase, Hydroskin, Hytone, Instacort, Lacticare HC, Locoid, Locoid Lipocream, MiCort-HC, Monistat Complete Care Instant Itch Relief Cream, Neosporin Eczema, NuCort, Nutracort, NuZon, Pandel, Pediaderm HC, Penecort, Preparation H Hydrocortisone, Procto-Kit, Procto-Med HC, Procto-Pak, Proctocort, Proctocream-HC, Proctosol-HC, Proctozone-HC, Rederm, Sarnol-HC, Scalacort, Scalpicin Anti-Itch, Texacort, Tucks HC, Vagisil Anti-Itch, Walgreens Intensive Healing, Westcort
Features Of Lloydspharmacy Hydrocortisone Cream 1% 15g
- Clinically proven
*Please note: If your chosen pharmacy is in the North West, North East, Yorkshire, the Isle of Man, Channel Islands or Scottish Highlands and Islands your order will take an additional working day to these delivery times. To find out if your pharmacy is impacted .
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What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a very bad upset stomach or throwing up, very bad dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, not hungry, or weight loss.
- Signs of Cushing’s disease like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, very bad headache, or slow healing.
- Change in eyesight.
- Irritation where Anusol-HC is used.
- Very bad bleeding from rectum or rectal pain.
How To Apply Hydrocortisone

As mentioned, it’s going to work best when paired with other ingredients. Try Zeichner’s homemade spot treatment and combine a one-percent over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream plus a product containing two percent salicylic acid plus a product containing two-and-a-half percent benzoyl peroxide . Dab this concoction directly onto the pimple. Carqueville suggests first washing your face with a sulfur-based cleanser, then layering the hydrocortisone under a five-percent benzoyl peroxide product in the morning. Repeat this in the evening, swapping the benzoyl peroxide product for one with either a two-percent salicylic acid product or an over-the-counter retinoid. In either scenario, this is meant to be a short-term, quick-fix, and not a regular part of your skincare routine.
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Getting The Most From Your Treatment
- If you are using a moisturiser along with hydrocortisone, apply the moisturiser first. Then wait 10-15 minutes before applying hydrocortisone. This allows time for the moisturiser to be absorbed before the topical corticosteroid is applied. If hydrocortisone has been prescribed for nappy rash and you are also using a barrier cream, apply the hydrocortisone first and the barrier cream afterwards.
- Do not use the cream/ointment on your face unless it has been prescribed by a doctor for this reason. If so, be careful not to get any near your eyes and do not use it for a longer period of time than you have been advised.
- Unless advised to do so by your doctor, do not apply a bandage or dressing to the area being treated, as this will increase absorption of the steroid through your skin and increase the risk of side-effects.
- Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how long to use the preparation for. If you have bought the hydrocortisone from a retail outlet, you must not use it for more than one week. If your symptoms have not improved after this time , you should speak with a doctor for advice. Hydrocortisone should not be used for long periods of time or on large areas of the body, especially in children.
- If you have eczema or dermatitis, continue to use a moisturiser every day after you finish using hydrocortisone. This will help to prevent a further flare-up.