Hydrocortisone is used in some medicines to treat:
- piles (haemorrhoids) inside or around your bottom (anus)
- itchy bottom
These treatments do not cure piles, but they can help with the pain and itching.
Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (corticosteroid). Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.
Hydrocortisone treatments for piles come as creams, ointments and suppositories. You can buy some smaller sizes from a pharmacy, but others are only available on prescription. Some of these medicines also contain local anaesthetics and other medicines to soothe the symptoms.
Other types of hydrocortisone
There are different types of hydrocortisone, including injections and tablets.
Find out more about other ways you can use hydrocortisone for different health conditions.
- Some hydrocortisone products creams and ointments can only be used on the outside of your body. The best type of treatment for you depends on your symptoms.
- You'll usually apply treatments several times a day – first thing in the morning, last thing at night and after you've done a poo. Always follow advice from a pharmacist or doctor, or the leaflet that comes with your medicine.
- Do not use hydrocortisone treatments for longer than recommended, or use more than you're supposed to. The local anaesthetic in them can make your skin sensitive. Also, long-term use can make your skin thinner.
- Do not let children use hydrocortisone unless their doctor prescribes it for them.
- Hydrocortisone treatments for piles can be called by a variety of brand names including the Anusol range, Anugesic, Germaloids, Perinal, Proctosedyl, Uniroid and Xyloproct.
Hydrocortisone treatments for piles and itchy bottom can be used by most adults (aged 18 years and older).
Young people aged 16 to 17 years can only use some products. Do not use these treatments on children under the age of 16 unless a doctor prescribes them.
Hydrocortisone treatments are not suitable for some people. To make sure they are safe for you, tell your pharmacist or doctor if you:
- are allergic to hydrocortisone or any other medicine
- have a skin infection
- are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or you're breastfeeding
- are taking other medicines, such as codeine, which might be making you constipated. Being constipated means you're more likely to get piles.
You'll usually use most treatments for piles or itchy bottom several times a day – first thing in the morning, last thing at night and after you've done a poo. Check the leaflet which comes with the product you are using.
Some treatments are only used on the skin around your anus – such as creams, ointments and sprays. These are for piles on the outside (called external piles) or itchy bottom.
Some piles treatments, such as hydrocortisone suppositories, are used inside your anus. These are for piles on the inside (internal piles).
Do not use hydrocortisone treatments for more than 7 days. Make an appointment to see your doctor if your symptoms:
- have not got better
- come back quickly after treatment
How to use cream or ointment for external piles
Read the instructions in the leaflet that comes with the cream or ointment.
- Wash your hands before and afterwards.
- Squeeze the tube of cream or ointment and put a small amount on your finger.
- Apply the cream or ointment around the outside of your anus with your finger.
How to use spray for external piles and itchy bottom
Read the instructions in the leaflet that comes with the spray.
Before using the spray for the first time you need to get it ready. Push the pump down once or twice to do this.
- Wash your hands before and afterwards.
- Separate your buttocks and spray the area once.
How to use suppositories for internal piles
Read the instructions in the leaflet that comes with the suppositories.
- Go to the toilet beforehand if you need to.
- Wash your hands before and afterwards. Also clean around your anus with mild soap and water, rinse and pat dry.
- Unwrap the suppository.
- Stand with one leg up on a chair or lie on your side with one leg bent and the other straight.
- Gently push the suppository into your anus with the pointed end first. It needs to go in about 2cm to 3cm (1 inch).
- Sit or lie still for about 15 minutes. The suppository will melt inside your anus.
What if I forget to use it?
If you forget a treatment, do it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until you are within a few hours of the next application, do not worry. Just skip the missed treatment and go back to your usual treatment routine.
Like all medicines, hydrocortisone treatments can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
If you use hydrocortisone for a short time, it's very unlikely to cause side effects. You may get a slight increase in burning when you first apply the treatment, but this only lasts a few minutes. This usually stops happening after a few days.
If you use hydrocortisone for a long time, it can thin the skin around your anus. It's best not to use these treatments for more than 7 days and not to repeat these treatments too often.
Serious side effects
If you have an infection around your bottom, hydrocortisone treatments can make it worse. To prevent infections, wash the itchy or sore area and pat it dry with a soft, clean towel before applying the treatment.
Very rarely hydrocortisone gets into the bloodstream. This can cause side effects in other parts of your body.
Tell your doctor straight away if you get:
- more inflamed skin around your bottom – this can be a sign of a skin infection
- very upset stomach or vomiting, very bad dizziness or fainting, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, loss of appetite and weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
- confused, sleepy, more hungry or thirsty, peeing more often, breathing fast or breath that smells like fruit – these can be signs of diabetes or complications of diabetes
Serious allergic reaction
It's extremely rare to have an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to hydrocortisone.
These are not all the side effects of hydrocortisone for piles or itchy bottom. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Hydrocortisone creams that you buy from a pharmacy can be used in pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding.
Important
For safety, tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.
Here's more information on how to treat piles in pregnancy.
For more information about using hydrocortisone during pregnancy, read this leaflet on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPs) website.
Taking other medicines should not affect the way hydrocortisone treatments for piles or itchy bottom work.