Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsConditions It Can TreatConditions It Can’t TreatHow to UseSide EffectsWarnings and Interactions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Conditions It Can Treat
Conditions It Can’t Treat
How to Use
Side Effects
Warnings and Interactions
Hydrocortisone is also an ingredient used in several antibacterial or antifungal preparations, such as inathlete’s footcreams. For some diaper rashes, healthcare providers may also recommend hydrocortisone or desonide (another topical corticosteroid) for use in addition to antifungal treatment.
This article discusses the use of hydrocortisone cream for rashes and other conditions. It also covers conditions it cannot heal, how to use the cream, and possible side effects.
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Conditions Hydrocortisone Creams Can Treat
Hydrocortisone cream may be your go-to treatment for insect bites or bee stings. It is also a smart way to treat many allergic skin rashes, such asatopic dermatitis(eczema) and allergic contact dermatitis (includingpoison ivyand poison oak).
Hydrocortisone cream can also relieve:
A healthcare provider may also recommend hydrocortisone be used foranal itchingrelated to hemorrhoids and/or itching of the outer female genitals (not due to a yeast infection).
In general, topical corticosteroids (including hydrocortisone) should not be regularly applied to the face or genital areas without first consulting with a healthcare provider.
Poison Ivy Rash: What It Looks Like and How To Prevent It
Conditions Hydrocortisone Creams Cannot Treat
Hydrocortisone and other steroids can irritate facial skin and can potentially lead to irreversible skin damage. Hydrocortisone cream should also not be used for:
A fungal infection will worsen from a steroid cream. Common fungal rashes include:
Steroid creams should not be used on fungal infections without also using an antifungal medication because when used alone, steroids can allow a fungal infection to spread and worsen.
How to Use Hydrocortisone Cream
Cortizone is a popular brand-name hydrocortisone cream sold over-the-counter (OTC). There are also many generic versions. OTC options are typically applied to the affected area two or three times per day.
Prescription hydrocortisone creams, which have higher potency, are also available. Some examples include Hydrocort and Aquacort. These may be used less often than OTC options.
To use hydrocortisone cream:
To avoid complications that result from improper use:
If You Forget to Apply Hydrocortisone CreamIf you miss a dose, apply the cream as soon as you can. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal treatment schedule.
If You Forget to Apply Hydrocortisone Cream
If you miss a dose, apply the cream as soon as you can. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal treatment schedule.
How Long Should You Use Hydrocortisone Cream?
A treatment plan can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, or until the rash and itchiness have resolved. A full treatment should last no longer than four weeks.
Use on Children
Parents may want to use hydrocortisone cream to treat their child’s skin condition, most commonly eczema or diaper rash.
Some healthcare providers don’t recommend using hydrocortisone cream on children younger than age 2 because of potential health risks. Prolonged use of the cream oninfantshas been linked with slower growth and delayed weight gain.
It’s generally OK to use the cream on older children, but your healthcare provider may recommend only using it for a maximum of four or five days.
It’s best to speak with a pediatrician before using hydrocortisone cream on your child. Other products may be gentler and work just as well.
Side Effects of Hydrocortisone Cream
It’s a good idea to avoid long-term use of anytopical steroidon your face, particularly high-potency types. You risk thinning and otherwise damaging your skin. In the worst cases, you could even trigger irreversible skin damage.
Chronic steroid exposure to the eyes can cause cataracts and other sight-compromising complications.
Using topical steroids for longer than recommended could cause:
Stop the medication and contact your healthcare provider if any of these events occur while you are using hydrocortisone cream:Rash, hives, or itchingSwelling of the eyes, face, lips, mouth, throat, or tongue; or difficulty breathing or swallowingVomiting or diarrheaSudden weight gainMuscle weaknessUnusual bruisingSwollen face, lower legs, or anklesDepressionHallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)Mania (frenzied or abnormally excited mood)Eye pain, redness, or tearing;blurred vision; or other vision problemsSore throat, fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infectionStomach painDifficult or painful urinationSeizures
Stop the medication and contact your healthcare provider if any of these events occur while you are using hydrocortisone cream:
Your healthcare provider may recommend against hydrocortisone cream if you or your child:
Before using hydrocortisone cream, make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you or your child falls into those categories.
Hydrocortisone topical has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs, but it is always best to share any medications or topical treatments you’re taking or using with a healthcare provider before using the product.
Summary
Hydrocortisone cream is good at treating mild inflammatory skin conditions. Be sure you know what these conditions include. In general, the cream should not be used on skin that is broken. Use it wisely and according to the instructions to avoid side effects.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Merck Manual Professional Version.Principles of topical dermatologic therapy.Merck Manual Consumer Version.Treatment of skin disorders.National Health Service.Hydrocortisone for skin.American Family Physician.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Merck Manual Professional Version.Urticaria.Merck Manual Consumer Version.Vaginal itching or vaginal discharge.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of fungal diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.Medline Plus.Hydrocortisone topical.MedlinePlus.Hydrocortisone cream.National Health Service.Hydrocortisone for skin.Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D.Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids. Indian J Dermatol. 2014 Sep;59(5):460-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.139874Kaiser Permanente.Hydrocortisone for itching.Coondoo, A. Phiske, M, Verma, S, Lahiri, K. Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit.Indian Dermatol Online.2014;Oct.-Dec.:416-425. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.142483.Medline Plus.Hydrocortisone.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Merck Manual Professional Version.Principles of topical dermatologic therapy.Merck Manual Consumer Version.Treatment of skin disorders.National Health Service.Hydrocortisone for skin.American Family Physician.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Merck Manual Professional Version.Urticaria.Merck Manual Consumer Version.Vaginal itching or vaginal discharge.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of fungal diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.Medline Plus.Hydrocortisone topical.MedlinePlus.Hydrocortisone cream.National Health Service.Hydrocortisone for skin.Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D.Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids. Indian J Dermatol. 2014 Sep;59(5):460-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.139874Kaiser Permanente.Hydrocortisone for itching.Coondoo, A. Phiske, M, Verma, S, Lahiri, K. Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit.Indian Dermatol Online.2014;Oct.-Dec.:416-425. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.142483.Medline Plus.Hydrocortisone.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Merck Manual Professional Version.Principles of topical dermatologic therapy.Merck Manual Consumer Version.Treatment of skin disorders.National Health Service.Hydrocortisone for skin.American Family Physician.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Merck Manual Professional Version.Urticaria.Merck Manual Consumer Version.Vaginal itching or vaginal discharge.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of fungal diseases.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.Medline Plus.Hydrocortisone topical.MedlinePlus.Hydrocortisone cream.National Health Service.Hydrocortisone for skin.Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D.Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids. Indian J Dermatol. 2014 Sep;59(5):460-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.139874Kaiser Permanente.Hydrocortisone for itching.Coondoo, A. Phiske, M, Verma, S, Lahiri, K. Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit.Indian Dermatol Online.2014;Oct.-Dec.:416-425. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.142483.Medline Plus.Hydrocortisone.
Merck Manual Professional Version.Principles of topical dermatologic therapy.
Merck Manual Consumer Version.Treatment of skin disorders.
National Health Service.Hydrocortisone for skin.
American Family Physician.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.
Merck Manual Professional Version.Urticaria.
Merck Manual Consumer Version.Vaginal itching or vaginal discharge.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of fungal diseases.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.
Medline Plus.Hydrocortisone topical.
MedlinePlus.Hydrocortisone cream.
Dhar S, Seth J, Parikh D.Systemic side-effects of topical corticosteroids. Indian J Dermatol. 2014 Sep;59(5):460-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.139874
Kaiser Permanente.Hydrocortisone for itching.
Coondoo, A. Phiske, M, Verma, S, Lahiri, K. Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit.Indian Dermatol Online.2014;Oct.-Dec.:416-425. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.142483.
Medline Plus.Hydrocortisone.
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