HYDROCORTISONE, cream and ointment

Therapeutic action

• Topical corticosteroid

Indications

• Atopic eczema, contact eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis
• Reactions to insect bites

Forms and strengths

• 1% cream and ointment

Dosage and duration

• Child and adult: one application once daily or 2 times daily to the affected area only, in thin layer, for 7 days maximum

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not use:
  • for more than 7 days;
  • in case of acne, rosacea, perioral dermatoses, untreated bacterial (impetigo, etc.), fungal (candidiasis and dermatophytosis) and viral (herpes) skin infections;
  • under occlusive dressing, on large areas of skin or on wounds, especially in infants and children (increased local and systemic adverse effects).
• May cause:
  • irritations, pruritus, burning sensations, skin eruptions, hypopigmentation, contact eczema and urticaria;
  • skin atrophy, dilation of small blood vessels (telangiectasia), stretch marks, skin fragility, delayed wound healing in case of prolonged treatment.
• Apply with precaution to:
  • the eyelids and around the eyes (risk of glaucoma and cataract);
  • the face (risk of rosacea and thinning of the skin);
  • the skin folds (increased adverse effects).
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication
• Breast-feeding: no contra-indication. Do not apply to the breasts.

Remarks

• The cream and ointment are interchangeable. However, preferably use the cream on moist lesions and the ointment on dry and scaly lesions.

Storage