Hydrocortisone skin treatments can be used to treat swelling, itching and irritation. They can help with the symptoms of:
Most hydrocortisone skin treatments are mild and are available to buy from pharmacies. They come as:
- cream
- ointment
- lotion
Creams for nappy rash and other skin problems in children under 10 years old are only available on prescription.
Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (corticosteroid). Steroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.
The strength of the products range from 0.1% (1mg of hydrocortisone in each gram) to 2.5% (25mg of hydrocortisone in each gram).
Pharmacies sell hydrocortisone skin cream up to a maximum 1% strength.
There is a stronger hydrocortisone cream called hydrocortisone butyrate. This is only available with a prescription.
Sometimes hydrocortisone is mixed with antimicrobials (chemicals that kill germs). This is used to treat skin problems caused by bacterial or fungal infections.
Other types of hydrocortisone
There are other ways of taking or using hydrocortisone, including tablets and injections.
Find out more about other ways you can use hydrocortisone to treat different health problems.
- Most people need to use hydrocortisone treatments once or twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks. But if you buy it from a pharmacy or shop, do not use it for more than 1 week, talk to a doctor first.
- Never put hydrocortisone on your face unless your doctor says it's OK and has given you a prescription for it. It can make some skin problems worse like impetigo, rosacea and acne.
- Only use hydrocortisone skin treatments on children under 10 years old if a doctor recommends it.
- Creams you can buy are not supposed to be used on the eyes, around the bottom or genitals, or on broken or infected skin.
- Hydrocortisone butyrate is stronger than other types of hydrocortisone for skin. It's only available on prescription and is known by the brand name Locoid.
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
When using hydrocortisone on your skin, follow the instructions from your pharmacist, doctor or the leaflet that comes with your treatment.
Hydrocortisone is available as a cream, ointment and lotion.
Hydrocortisone cream and ointment
Creams are better for skin that is moist and weepy. Ointments are thicker and greasier, and are better for dry or flaky areas of skin.
Most people need to use hydrocortisone cream or ointment once or twice a day. If you use it twice a day, try to leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours before putting on any more.
The amount of cream or ointment you need to use is sometimes measured in fingertip units. This is the amount of you can squeeze onto the end of your finger.
A fingertip unit is generally enough to treat both sides of your hand.
For babies and children, the right amount depends on their age. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you.
How to use skin cream or ointment
- Wash and dry your hands and then squeeze out the right amount.
- Spread the cream or ointment in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin.
- Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction the hair grows until it disappears.
- Use the cream on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas.
- Be careful not to get the cream into broken skin or cuts.
- Wash your hands afterwards (unless you are treating the skin on your hands).
How to use hydrocortisone skin lotion
Lotion is better for treating large or hairier areas of skin.
You will usually use hydrocortisone skin lotion once or twice a day.
Use a small amount of lotion on the affected areas of skin.
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Spread the lotion in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin.
- Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction that your hair grows.
- Use the lotion on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas.
- Be careful not to get the lotion on broken skin or cuts.
- Wash your hands afterwards (unless you are treating the skin on your hands).
Using hydrocortisone with other skin creams
Do not apply hydrocortisone at the same time as other creams or ointments such as a moisturiser. Wait at least 10 minutes between using hydrocortisone and any other product. Try to use different skin products at different times of the day.
If you're using a dressing like a bandage or plaster, wait at least 10 minutes after putting hydrocortisone on.
How long to use it for
Most people only need to use hydrocortisone skin treatments for a short time. Stop as soon as your skin is better. Sometimes you only need to use the skin treatments for a few days.
For insect bites and stings, nappy rash or contact dermatitis you'll probably only need to use a skin cream for up to 1 week.
For long-term skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis you may need to use treatments for longer.
If you buy hydrocortisone from a pharmacy or shop, do not use it for more than 1 week without talking to your doctor.
What if I forget to put it on?
If you forget to use a hydrocortisone skin treatment, do not worry. Just use it as soon as you remember, unless it's within a few hours of your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and go back to your usual routine.
Mild hydrocortisone treatments are very safe. Most people do not have any side effects when they use them for less than 4 weeks.
Some people get a burning or stinging feeling for a few minutes when they put the hydrocortisone on their skin. This stops happening after you've been using it for a few days.
Serious 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 for a long time.
Using hydrocortisone for many months at a time can make your skin thinner or cause stretchmarks. Stretchmarks are likely to be permanent, but they usually fade over time.
Stop using hydrocortisone and tell a doctor straight away if:
- your skin becomes redder or swollen, or yellow fluid is weeping from your skin – these are signs of a new skin infection or an existing one getting worse
- you have a very upset stomach or you're being sick (vomiting), have very bad dizziness or fainting, muscle weakness, feel very tired, have mood changes, loss of appetite and weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
- you feel confused, sleepy, more thirsty or hungry than usual, pee more often, have hot flushes, start breathing quickly or your breath smells of fruit – these can be signs of diabetes or complications of diabetes
- you are depressed (including having suicidal thoughts), feeling high, having mood swings, feeling anxious, seeing or hearing things that are not there, or having strange or frightening thoughts – these can be signs of mental health problems
- you get a “moon face” (puffy, rounded face), weight gain in your upper back or belly – this happens gradually and can be a sign of Cushing's syndrome
- you have any muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or your heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable – these can be signs of low potassium levels
- you get severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or a severe upset stomach or vomiting – these can be signs of pancreas problems
Children and teenagers
In rare cases, using hydrocortisone for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers.
Your child's doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully for as long as they're using hydrocortisone. This will help them spot any slowing down of your child's growth and change their treatment if needed.
Even if your child's growth slows down, it does not seem to have much effect on their overall adult height.
Talk to your doctor if you're worried about the risks of your child using hydrocortisone.
Serious allergic reaction
It's extremely rare to have an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to hydrocortisone, but if this happens to you get medical help straight away.
These are not all the side effects of hydrocortisone. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Hydrocortisone creams that you buy from a pharmacy can be used in pregnancy or while you're breastfeeding. As a precaution, if you're breastfeeding, wash off any cream you put on your breasts before feeding your baby.
Hydrocortisone butyrate is not normally recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Only use this treatment if a skin specialist (dermatologist) prescribes it and supervises your treatment.
Your doctor will only prescribe hydrocortisone butyrate for you while you're pregnant or breastfeeding if the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks.
Important
For safety, tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.
For more information about using hydrocortisone during pregnancy, read this leaflet about steroid creams and ointments on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPs).
It's very unlikely that other medicines – either prescribed or ones you buy from a pharmacy or shop – will affect the way hydrocortisone works.