Hydrocortisone Cream

Buy Hydrocortisone Cream Online UK

Hydrocortisone cream is available under various brands in the UK, including HC45, which is a popular brand of Hydrocortisone cream available over the counter.

When applied directly to the affected area of skin, Hydrocortisone cream calms your body's immune response, reducing pain, itching, and inflammation.

If you can't get to a pharmacy, you can order Hydrocortisone cream online from Prescription Doctor. Provided your order is approved by 3pm on a weekday, we'll dispatch the items the same day to ensure next-day delivery, so you can start treatment as soon as possible.

Our team of prescribers and pharmacists is on hand to help you with any problems or questions you may have about your condition or treatment.

What is Hydrocortisone cream used for?

Hydrocortisone cream is used on the affected skin to reduce inflammation and irritation caused by skin conditions, including:

• bites and stings from insects
• dermatitis
• eczema
• heat rash
• nappy rash
• psoriasis

Some treatments for haemorrhoids contain a hydrocortisone to help reduce the swelling of piles and ease itching.

How Does Hydrocortisone Cream Work?

Hydrocortisone cream is a type of medicine that is known as a topical corticosteroid.

Corticosteroids are a class of synthetic steroid hormones, man-made versions of hormones usually produced by the adrenal glands.

Skin inflammation usually results from an allergy or irritation caused by the immune system's release of histamine. Histamine causes the blood vessels to widen, which results in skin that is red, swollen, itchy and painful.

When Hydrocortisone is applied to the skin, it acts inside the skin cells to decrease the release of histamines. This reduces swelling, redness, and itching, and consequently helps prevent further scratching.

A course of topical steroid is used during a flare-up of eczema. The aim of the treatment is to clear the flare-up completely, and then you can stop the use of the treatment.

Your doctor will usually prescribe the lowest-strength topical steroid to help clear the flare-up. For example, Hydrocortisone 1% is often prescribed initially. If there is no improvement after three to seven days, a stronger topical steroid is usually prescribed.

How Do I Use Hydrocortisone Cream?

Instructions on how to use Hydrocortisone Cream can be found within the patient information leaflet enclosed with your treatment.

Wash your hands thoroughly before applying the cream.

Squeeze out a small amount of cream onto your fingertip. Gently spread a thin, even layer of Hydrocortisone cream over the affected area until it has been absorbed into the skin. Do not rub the cream too hard into the skin, as this can irritate it.

Apply the cream to all affected areas of skin as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not apply the cream to any part of the skin that is not affected.

Unless you have applied Hydrocortisone Cream to the affected skin on your hands, wash your hands after using it.

You should aim to apply the cream at the same time(s) every day. Always follow the directions on your prescription carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Do not use more Hydrocortisone Cream than prescribed by your doctor. Using more Hydrocortisone Cream is unlikely to treat your condition any quicker, but may increase your risk of side effects.

Be careful not to get Hydrocortisone Cream in your eyes, nose, or mouth. Rinse the area with cold water if accidental contact does occur in these areas. If irritation persists, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Do not apply Hydrocortisone cream to other areas of your body or use it to treat other skin conditions, unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Do not apply Hydrocortisone Cream to the eyes, face, or genitals, broken or infected skin, or areas of skin which are infected with bacterial, viral or fungal infections.

Most people need to use Hydrocortisone Cream once or twice a day for one or two weeks. Hydrocortisone Cream is not intended for long-term use. If you purchase it from a pharmacy and your skin does not improve within one week, discontinue use and consult a doctor for further guidance.

Hydrocortisone Cream Side Effects and Cautions

Before using Hydrocortisone Cream for the first time, it's essential to familiarise yourself with the patient information leaflet enclosed with your treatment. The patient information leaflet contains important information regarding the use, storage, and disposal of the medicine.

You can read the patient information leaflet for Hydrocortisone cream online.

If you are concerned about anything you read in the patient information leaflet, or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to speak with your doctor or a pharmacist.

Our online doctors can discuss any questions you have about the treatment during your online consultation.

Who should not use Hydrocortisone cream?

Hydrocortisone cream is not suitable for everyone. It's essential to consult your doctor before taking any new medication.

Speak to your doctor before using hydrocortisone cream if you:

• are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant in the near future, or are breastfeeding
• have a skin or eye infection
• have or had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone

If you are unsure whether hydrocortisone cream is suitable for you, speak to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for advice.

Side effects of Hydrocortisone cream

All medicines can cause side effects, but not everybody who uses Hydrocortisone Cream will experience them.

During your course of treatment with Hydrocortisone cream, you should remain vigilant of any side effects associated with your medication.

Side effects from hydrocortisone cream are usually mild and typically subside once you have finished using it. Using hydrocortisone cream for the shortest time possible (usually less than 4 weeks) can reduce your risk of experiencing side effects.

Side effects of hydrocortisone cream may include:

• mild irritation (burning or stinging) when applying the cream
• stretch marks in skin folds such as the groin or armpits

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. A full list of side effects can be found within the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine.

Allergies

Do not use hydrocortisone cream if you are allergic to hydrocortisone or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Chest tightening
• Dry, red and cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes or face
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Wheezing

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should always speak to your doctor before using a new medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Hydrocortisone butyrate is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Other safety information

Inform our medical team of any other treatments you are taking, including those bought over the counter, prescribed by your doctor, as well as health and herbal supplements.

Do not use Hydrocortisone Cream past the expiry date printed on the packaging.

Never throw away medicine via household or water waste, as this can harm the environment. Instead, take any unwanted or expired medicine to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it safely on your behalf.

Always store Hydrocortisone Cream out of sight and out of reach of children and pets.

Never share your medicine with anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms or have been diagnosed with the same condition as you.

How Else Can I Help My Skin During A Flare-Up?

To help control and manage your symptoms, you can try the following steps at home:

Avoid scratching as it can worsen your condition. Scratching the affected area can cause breaks in your skin, which may result in bleeding. Broken skin is more exposed to infections. You can wear cotton gloves to prevent damaging your skin.

If you know the triggers which cause flare-ups, simply avoiding them can be effective. However, this isn't always possible. Instead, work to avoid coming into contact with things that might irritate your skin. For example, wearing disposable gloves when using harsh cleaning products, wiping down surfaces with a damp cloth to remove dust and pollen, or keeping your windows closed when the pollen count is high.

Use emollients, such as Hydromol or Doublebase, between applications of Hydrocortisone cream, especially after washing. Emollients help your skin retain moisture, keeping it supple and smooth. However, care should be taken when using emollients.

Emollients containing paraffin and other petroleum-derived products can be highly flammable. Wash surfaces which come into contact with emollients regularly. Keep emollients and surfaces which come into contact with emollients away from flames and heat sources.

When bathing, avoid using hot water, as it can irritate and dry out your skin. Use lukewarm water instead. When you have finished washing, pat your skin dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing your skin with the towel, as this can irritate it.

Wear loose-fitting clothes made of natural materials, such as wool and cotton. Avoid synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and polyester. If pollen triggers your eczema, wash your clothes after coming inside when the pollen count is high.

Frequently Asked Questions