Hydrocortisone 1% Cream for Eczema, Dermatitis & Insect Bites

Most people may need to apply hydrocortisone 1% cream or ointment once or twice a day, usually for 1 to 2 weeks. When using it to treat eczema flare ups, you should usually continue treatment for 48 hours after the eczema has cleared.

When applying it to the skin surface, you should:

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before use.
• Apply the cream thinly to the affected area, once or twice a day.
• Massage the cream gently into the affected area to help absorption into the skin.
• Once applied, do not cover the area with a dressing or plaster.
• Wash your hands afterwards (unless you are treating the skin on your hands)

Hydrocortisone can make certain skin conditions worse e.g. rosacea, impetigo and acne.

You should not use hydrocortisone if you have any allergies to the medication or its ingredients. 

As it is a corticosteroid, among other potential side effects, it can cause skin thinning so it is always important to use the cream thinly in line with the advice provided. 

For a full list of potential side effects, please read the patient information leaflet provided with the medication. An example of hydrocortisone 1% cream patient information leaflet can be found by clicking here. 

Below are a few tips and advice when storing this treatment: 

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not store above 25˚C.
• Store in the original package and keep the tube in the outer carton.
• Do not use Hydrocortisone Cream after the expiry date which is stated on the tube/carton.

Warning: skin creams can dry onto your clothes and bedding making them more likely to catch fire so you should avoid naked flames.

Hydrocortisone 1% Cream/Ointment treats inflammation from skin conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema and psoriasis. It is a topical steroid that works to reduce chemicals in the body that cause swelling.

Topical steroids, such as the prescription Hydrocortisone cream, play an important role in eczema treatment. When eczema flares up, applying a steroid-containing medication will reduce inflammation, ease soreness and reduce itching.

1% Hydrocortisone steroid cream/ointment is a generic cream that treats certain skin conditions, such as eczema, dermatitis, & psoriasis. The cream and ointment are corticosteroids and should be applied to affected areas 1-2 times per day, usually for no longer than one week.

In most cases, a seven-day course of hydrocortisone cream for eczema treatment should be enough to relieve your symptoms and those of most other minor inflammatory skin conditions. Do not use Hydrocortisone for any more than seven days unless instructed to by your doctor.

It’s not recommended to take Hydrocortisone 1% cream/ointment more than twice a day. If this isn’t enough to control your symptoms, seek the advice of your GP.

Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid. Classed as a mild steroid, it can be used to step down your treatment if stronger steroid preparations are no longer necessary.

Topical corticosteroids have been used for over 50 years to treat various inflammatory skin conditions. They remain one of the most effective treatments, and if used properly, they can control symptoms and restore patients’ quality of life.

Steroids are produced naturally by the body to regulate growth and immune function. There are many kinds of steroids, including anabolic steroids like testosterone and corticosteroids such as cortisol, which are produced by the adrenal glands.

Corticosteroids are very effective at controlling inflammation since they temporarily alter the function of a number of cells and chemicals in the skin.

There is no need to worry if you forget to use a hydrocortisone skin treatment. Take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is within a few hours. If this is the case, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule.

Eczema is a skin ailment indicated by redness, dryness, flaky, scaly skin and irritation. Sufferers often scratch, causing skin breaks and bleeding. More serious instances may result in pus-filled blisters and even infected skin.

Most eczema symptoms manifest around the elbows and knees, on the scalp, and on the hands and feet. However, eczema can appear anywhere on your skin, so you may experience it in other areas of your body.

Eczema & dermatitis can affect anyone of any age. Most cases appear before the age of 35 and are chronic, with periods of activity and remission. Common triggers include:

Stress
Skin injury
Excess alcohol consumption
Smoking
Certain medications
Hormonal fluctuations
Insect bite reactions*
*Nummular eczema is commonly triggered by insect bites.

Eczema can also be triggered by skin irritants. This type of eczema is known as irritant dermatitis, and it can lead infants to develop nappy rash. Common triggers include:

Antibacterials and antiseptics
Toiletries and cosmetics
Detergents and soaps
Disinfectants
Oils
Eczema is one of the most common skin issues, affecting around 10% of adults and 20% of children in the UK. Some of the other common skin issues people experience include cold sores, acne and various types of psoriasis — such as widespread plaque psoriasis and generalised pustular psoriasis.

Currently, eczema has no cure. Eczema treatment aims to reduce the severity of symptoms. Topical corticosteroids are the go-to option for mild to moderate cases.

Prescription medications such as Hydrocortisone 1% and Hydrocortisone Cream can be highly effective at tackling the symptoms of eczema, such as broken or infected skin.

But prescription medications aren’t the only way of treating eczema. These are some of the over-the-counter treatments you can use to tackle eczema:

• Moisturisers and emollients - Diprobase and Cetraben
• Bath and Shower Gels - Dermol 200 and Cetraben Bath Additive
• Cream and ointment - Cetraben Cream & Ointment
• Cotton Gloves (to keep from scratching)
• Antihistamine tablets (to ease the itching) - Loratadine and Cetirizine

Hydrocortisone Cream 1% should be applied to the affected areas in a thin layer once or twice daily.

1) Be sure to wash your hands after applying the treatment unless you need to treat the eczema symptoms on your hands.

2) After it has been absorbed, moisturising skin creams (such as Diprobase or Cetraben) can be applied, if necessary.

3) When symptoms begin to improve, start using Hydrocortisone less often. You should not use Hydrocortisone for more than 10 consecutive days and should see a health care professional if there is no improvement within the 10-day period.

You don’t need to worry if you find you have missed a dose of your cream or ointment. If this happens, then just apply the cream as soon as you can (unless your next dose is a few hours away) and then return to your previous routine of systemic administration.

Active ingredients: Hydrocortisone 1%.

The inactive ingredients in Hydrocortisone 1% Cream are: Chlorocresol, cetomacrogol, cetostearyl alcohol and paraffin.

The inactive ingredients in Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment are: Wool Fat, liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin.

Hydrocortisone for eczema is usually safe and does not have any side effects when taken in short courses (less than four weeks). However, if used for long periods, the following rare side effects may occur:

• Thinning of the skin
• Permanent stretch marks
• Allergic contact dermatitis (localised rash or irritated skin), acne, rosacea, or hair growth at the site of application

To minimise the risk of these side effects, apply the cream thinly and only on the affected area of the skin. As Hydrocortisone creams and ointments contain paraffin, they can also pose a fire risk if absorbed into clothes or furniture. If you’ve recently applied Hydrocortisone, keep away from naked flames.

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in a different way, stop using it and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Read the following warnings carefully to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Do not use Hydrocortisone 1% Cream/Ointment if you:

• Are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Suffer from skin conditions caused by infections, which are not being treated with antibiotics.
• Have scabies mite.
• Have rosacea or dermatitis around the mouth area.

Check with your doctor/pharmacist before using Hydrocortisone 1% Cream if:

• You are applying the cream to the face and around the eyes.
• You have a skin infection, and the condition appears to be getting worse despite prescribed antibiotics. Stop using the cream and contact your health care provider.
• You have psoriasis.
• You are or will be breastfeeding. It is unknown whether the medication passes into the breast milk when applied to the skin.

The hydrocortisone cream shouldn't come into contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. If the medication gets into these areas, rinse with plenty of water.

Hydrocortisone cream contains cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions such as contact dermatitis. It also contains chlorocresol, which may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

Please read all the information and directions on the product package and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medications. Inform your doctor or the appropriate healthcare professionals of any medications you are taking or intend to take.