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Medicine for the Skin: Hydrocortisone

Medication That Relieves Itching and Other Problems

Oct 19, 2009 Jennifer Graham

In any first aid kit, hydrocortisone is useful tool to treat minor skin irritations and inflammation. As with any steroid, hydrocortisone should be used as directed.

For that annoying summertime rash or those nasty bugs bites, hydrocortisone topical treatments can be used to obtain some relief. Hydrocortisone is a synthetic topical corticosteroid that is typically used as an anti-inflammatory or anti-pruritic (anti-itch) medication. It is applied in a variety of treatments and is available with or without a prescription.

Uses for Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone is used to relieve itching, insect bites and rashes caused by eczema, poisonous plants and irritating chemicals. According to Medlineplus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it is also used to relive scalp itching, anal and rectal itching and mouth sore irritations. Hydrocortisone can also prescribed for ulcerative colitis or proctitis (inflammed rectum or anus). Hemorrhoidal symptoms can also be treated with products containing hydrocortisone. There are other uses a doctor may decide to prescribe hydrocortisone for.

How Hydrocotrisone is Supplied

Hydrocortisone can be supplied in a cream, ointment, lotion, gel or liquid. It also comes in an anti-itch spray and medicated towelette. In addition to creams and ointments, it is available in foam, suppository and enema forms for rectal use. Pastes containing hydrocortisone exist for treatment of mouth sores. Over-the-counter preparations of hydrocortisone are sold in concentrations of 0.5% to 1%. Concentrations as high as 2.5% can be prepared.

Some brand names for hydrocortisone are:

Cortaid
Corticaine
Cortizone
Preparation H Cream with Hydrocortisone
Monistat
Massengill Medicated Towelette

Side Effects from Hydrocortisone

As with triamcinolone acetonide and betamethasone dipropionate, certain side effects may occur. Some reactions that may occur when using hydrocortisone are: burning, itching, dryness, folliculitis and hypertrichosis, where folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicle and hypertrichosis is excessive hair. Other skin ailments may also occur. These side effects happen rarely, but the possibility of a reaction increases when occlusive (air-tight) dressings are used.

Absorption of topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone throughout the body can lead to a reversible condition called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, a condition that can disrupt hormone production. Cushing's syndrome symptoms, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria are also possible if too much absorption of a corticosteroid occurs.

Precautions When Using Hydrocortisone

Children may be more susceptible to HPA axis suppression and Cushing’s syndrome since their body weight is so much lower than adults. The least amount of steroid that is effective should be used with children. Air-tight dressings should also be avoided when using corticosteroids with children.

People with allergies to corticosteroids should use caution with topical hydrocortisone and contact with the eyes should be avoided. Using another corticosteroid with hydrocortisone should be avoided.

Source:

RxList.com

The copyright of the article Medicine for the Skin: Hydrocortisone in General Medicine is owned by Jennifer Graham. Permission to republish Medicine for the Skin: Hydrocortisone in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Topical Medication