Hydrocortisone skin treatments can be used to treat swelling, itching and irritation. They can help with the symptoms of: eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, prickly heat rash, insect bites and stings, nappy rash. Most hydrocortisone skin treatments are mild and are available to buy from pharmacies. They come as: cream, ointment, lotion, Creams for nappy rash and other skin problems in children under 10 years old are only available on prescription. Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (corticosteroid). Steroids are not the same as anabolic steroids. The strength of the products range from 0.1% (1mg of hydrocortisone in each gram) to 2.5% (25mg of hydrocortisone in each gram). Pharmacies sell hydrocortisone skin cream up to a maximum 1% strength. There is a stronger hydrocortisone cream called hydrocortisone butyrate. This is only available with a prescription. Sometimes hydrocortisone is mixed with antimicrobials (chemicals that kill germs). This is used to treat skin problems caused by bacterial or fungal infections.

Other types of hydrocortisone

• There are other ways of taking or using hydrocortisone, including tablets and injections.
• Find out more about other ways you can use hydrocortisone to treat different health problems.

Most adults and children aged 10 years and over can use hydrocortisone skin treatments. Do not use hydrocortisone skin treatments on children under 10 years old unless their doctor recommends it. Hydrocortisone is not suitable for some people. Tell your pharmacist or doctor before starting the medicine if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone or any other medicine
• have a skin infection or eye infection
• are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or you're breastfeeding

When using hydrocortisone on your skin, follow the instructions from your pharmacist, doctor or the leaflet that comes with your treatment. Hydrocortisone is available as a cream, ointment and lotion. Creams are better for skin that is moist and weepy. Ointments are thicker and greasier, and are better for dry or flaky areas of skin. Most people need to use hydrocortisone cream or ointment once or twice a day. If you use it twice a day, try to leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours before putting on any more. The amount of cream or ointment you need to use is sometimes measured in fingertip units. This is the amount of you can squeeze onto the end of your finger. A fingertip unit is generally enough to treat both sides of your hand. For babies and children, the right amount depends on their age. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you. Wash and dry your hands and then squeeze out the right amount. Spread the cream or ointment in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin. Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction the hair grows until it disappears. Use the cream on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas. Be careful not to get the cream into broken skin or cuts. Wash your hands afterwards (unless you are treating the skin on your hands).

Journal of Dermatitis is using Editorial Tracking System for quality in review process. Editorial Tracking is an online manuscript submission, review and tracking systems used by most of the best open access journals. Review processing is performed by the editorial board members of journal or outside experts; at least two independent reviewers approval followed by editor's approval is required for acceptance of any citable manuscript.

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