Hydrocortisone is a topical corticosteroid (steroid). Topical means applied to skin and should not be confused with anabolic steroids. Hydrocortisone is used to relieve itching, inflamed skin and redness caused by different skin conditions such as mild to moderate eczema, insect bites and stings as well as allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. A doctor may also prescribe hydrocortisone for nappy rash or psoriasis.

Hydrocortisone works by suppressing the body’s immune response in the skin cells and stop them releasing the chemicals causing the inflammation.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet fully as there are many conditions where the use of Hydrocortisone cream is not recommended e.g. on children below the age of 10 or on the face.

Before using hydrocortisone cream:

Some medical conditions may interact with hydrocortisone cream. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have chickenpox, shingles, measles, or tuberculosis (TB), or have had a positive TB skin test or a recent vaccination
• if you have had a skin infection, thinning of the skin (atrophy), or a certain type of severe acne (rosacea)

if you are taking an oral corticosteroid (e.g. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet fully as there are many conditions where the use of Hydrocortisone cream is not recommended e.g. on children below the age of 10 or on the face.

•  prednisone)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with hydrocortisone cream. Because little, if any, of hydrocortisone cream is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if hydrocortisone cream may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Using hydrocortisone cream:

Use hydrocortisone cream as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Apply a small amount of medicine to the affected area. Gently rub it in until it is evenly distributed. Wash your hands after applying hydrocortisone cream, unless your hands are part of the treated area.
• Do not bandage or wrap the affected area unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
• Do not use hydrocortisone cream on your face, groin, or underarms unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• If you miss a dose of hydrocortisone cream, apply it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use hydrocortisone cream.

Ingredients

The active substance is Micronised Hydrocortisone.

The other ingredients are Wool Fat, Liquid Paraffin, White Soft Paraffin.

Precautions

Do NOT use hydrocortisone cream if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in hydrocortisone cream
• Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Warnings and precautions

• Hydrocortisone cream is for external use only. If you get hydrocortisone cream in your eyes, immediately flush them with cool tap water.
• Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than 2 weeks without checking with your doctor.
• Do not apply hydrocortisone cream over large areas of the body, to open wounds, or to scraped, infected, or burned skin without first checking with your doctor.
• If your symptoms do not get better within 2 weeks or if they get worse, check with your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you use any other medicines or cleansers on your skin.
• Do not use hydrocortisone cream for other skin conditions at a later time.
• If hydrocortisone cream was prescribed to treat the diaper area of a child, avoid using tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants.
• Hydrocortisone cream has a corticosteroid in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has a corticosteroid in it too. If it does or you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you use hydrocortisone cream before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Check with your doctor before having vaccinations while you are using hydrocortisone cream.
• Serious side effects may occur if too much of hydrocortisone cream is absorbed through the skin. This may be more likely to occur if you use hydrocortisone cream over a large area of the body. It may also be more likely if you wrap or bandage the area after you apply hydrocortisone cream. The risk is greater in children. Do not use more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor right away if you develop unusual weight gain (especially in the face), muscle weakness, increased thirst or urination, confusion, unusual drowsiness, severe or persistent headache, or vision changes. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use hydrocortisone cream.
• Hydrocortisone cream should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using hydrocortisone cream while you are pregnant. It is not known if this medicine is found in breast milk after topical use. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use hydrocortisone cream, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Side effects when using

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Burning, dryness, itching, or mild skin irritation.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); acne-like rash; excessive hair growth; inflamed hair follicles; inflammation around the mouth; itching, burning, pain, redness, or swelling of the skin not present before using hydrocortisone cream; muscle weakness; symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst, hunger, or urination; confusion; unusual drowsiness; flushing; rapid breathing); thinning, softening, or discoloration of the skin; unusual weight gain, especially in the face.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side

effects not listed here You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:

www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this product.

 Other Information

If you need more advice consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

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