Hydrocortisone (On the skin)

hye-droe-KOR-ti-sone

Treats skin irritation, allergic reactions, and other types of skin problems. This medicine is a corticosteroid.

Drug classes

Corticosteroid, Intermediate, Corticosteroid, Weak (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Hydrocortisone topical is used to help relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort caused by skin conditions. This medicine is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Cream, Kit, Ointment, Lotion, Spray, Foam, Gel/Jelly, Stick, Liquid

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

This medicine is for use on skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Do not inhale this medicine or use it near heat or an open flame. Do not puncture, break, or burn the aerosol can.

.Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you use this medicine.

Lotion, cream, ointment, gel, or liquid: Apply a thin layer of the medicine to the affected area. Rub it in gently.

Spray: Shake the aerosol can just before using. Hold the can 3 to 6 inches from the skin and spray for about 2 seconds. To apply to your face, spray into the palm of your hand and rub in gently.

Do not cover the treated area with a bandage unless directed by your doctor. Do not cover the treated skin with tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants if you are using this medicine on a child’s diaper area.

Missed dose: Apply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medicine may cause adrenal gland problems. It may also cause you to get infections more easily, so tell your doctor if you have any type of infection.

This medicine may delay growth in children. If you think your child is not growing properly while using this medicine, talk with your doctor.

Do not use this medicine to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss

Rapid weight gain around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist

Redness, swelling, or pus

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Burning, itching, irritation, dryness

Poor healing of skin

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalp HP, Anusol HC, Aqua Glycolic HC Scalp & Body, Aquanil HC, Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, Barriere-Hc, Beta HC, Caldecort, Cetacort, Cort-Eze, CortAlo With Aloe, Corta-Cap, Cortaid, Cortaid Intensive Therapy, Cortaid Maximum Strength, Cortaid Sensitive Skin w/Aloe, Cortate, Corticaine, Corticool Maximum Strength, Cortizone-10, Cortizone-5, Cortoderm Mild Ointment, Cortoderm Regular Ointment, Cotacort, Delacort, Dermarest, Dermasorb HC Complete Kit, Dermtex-HC, Emo-Cort, Emo-Cort Scalp Solution, Gly-Cort, Hydrocortisone Cream, Hydrozone Plus, Hytone, Instacort-10, Ivy Soothe, IvyStat, Keratol HC, Kericort 10, Lacticare-HC, Locoid, Locoid Lipocream, Medi-Cortisone Maximum Strength, Microcort, Mycin Scalp, Neutrogena T/Scalp, Novo-Hydrocort, Novo-Hydrocort Cream, NuCort, Nupercainal HC, Nutracort, Pandel, Pediaderm HC Kit, Preparation H Hydrocortisone, Prevex Hc, Proctocream-HC, Proctosol-HC, Recort Plus, Sarna Hc, Sarnol-HC Maximum Strength, Scalacort, Scalpcort, Summer’s Eve Specialcare, Texacort, Therasoft Anti-Itch & Dermatitis, U-Cort, Westcort

There may be other brand names for this medicine.