Does Hydrocortisone Cream Help Eczema?

What Hydrocortisone Cream Used For?

Hydrocortisone creams are used on the skin to help with swelling, itching, and irritation.  Hydrocortisone creams, ointments, and lotions contain a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid or ‘steroid’—these creams are used for dealing with skin rashes.

Can Hydrocortisone Cream Help Eczema?

Eczema is a frustrating chronic skin condition that leaves people with dry, red, and itchy skin. Some people get flares a few times a year, while others need to deal with it every day. It’s essential to have a plan in place that will help in soothing the itching and irritated skin.

Yes, eczema can be helped by using hydrocortisone cream.

Can Hydrocortisone Help Babies With Eczema?

Hydrocortisone can help babies with eczema, but physicians prefer to maximize care first by the use of a gentle eczema cleanser and eczema cream (applied at least twice daily) to manage itching, irritation, and redness associated with eczema.

In cases when eczema control is not achieved with the use of eczema moisturizer alone, the doctor may suggest the use of 1% hydrocortisone cream only for a temporary period. Make sure to use it as advised by the doctor.

Soothing Eczema-prone skin

The skin barrier is impaired in Eczema. This allows excess moisture to escape from the skin and allows skin irritants from the environment or commonly used cosmetics to stimulate the body’s immune system to make an inflammatory reaction, which comes across as red, scaly, and flaky skin that itches.

People with Eczema have dry skin. Their skin does not retain moisture naturally, and this needs to be replaced with substances that replenish moisture and do not further irritate the skin.

• Keep the affected area clean with a non-soap, irritant-free eczema shampoo and body wash. Cleaning the skin is essential to get rid of excess dust and bacteria from the skin. This also helps the moisturizer to penetrate more easily.
• Avoid products (shampoo, body wash, soaps) with scent and color when bathing. Many liquid body washes contain excessively drying lathering ingredients called surfactants, which contain sulfates. These can be avoided. Look for “sulfate free” on the label.
• Right after bathing, use a moisturizing eczema cream to lock in the moisture your skin has drawn in during the bath or shower. The hydrating cream you choose should avoid ingredients that are known to irritate the skin. So, avoid preservatives like parabens and scent and color in your creams. As pleasant as those smells may be, they are not good for eczema-prone skin.

Happy Cappy and Eczema

Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo and Body Wash and Happy Cappy Moisturizing Cream for Eczema were specifically made to soothe the symptoms of Eczema. These products were made for infants, toddlers, elementary-age children, adolescents, and children of all ages. Turns out that if it is good enough for a child, it is perfect for an adult. These sophisticated formulations all contain licorice root extract, which helps soothe redness. Happy Cappy knows that utilizing the highest quality ingredients is paramount to making a first-class product.

When To Use A Hydrocortisone Cream?

You should definitely consult a physician, but before suggesting the use of a hydrocortisone cream, most doctors will first verify you are using an appropriate skin regimen which consists of:

• Using a skin cleanser without scent and color.
• Make sure you are using an irritant-free moisturizing eczema cream at least twice a day.
• Doctors, for good reason, will also make sure you use a detergent without fragrance and color.
• Many physicians will also advise against using fabric softeners.

If you are doing all of the things mentioned above, and your skin is still dry, this is when steroid creams start to get suggested. Steroid creams are extremely beneficial and a staple of eczema management, but they need to be used appropriately.

The most commonly found over-the-counter (OTC) steroid cream in the United States is hydrocortisone 1% cream. There are many brands and generic makers of this product.

Management of eczema may start with OTC hydrocortisone cream or ointment or your physician may determine it is necessary to start with a slightly stronger or much stronger prescription steroid cream.

How To Apply Hydrocortisone Cream?

The hydrocortisone creams are usually applied twice a day. Most physicians will suggest you continue using a thick emollient like a moisturizing cream or pure petroleum jelly in conjunction with the topical steroid product. It is best to follow your doctor’s advice.

• Applying a good eczema cream all over the body first makes applying the steroid cream a bit easier.
• Squeeze out the right length of steroid cream or ointment against your finger.
• Spread it in a thin layer over the affected area until it has saturated into the skin.
• Apply the cream/ointment to all areas of skin with Eczema. 
• Do not apply it to skin that is not affected.
• Wait at least 10 minutes before applying any other skincare product.

What Are The Possible Side Effects?

Your child is unlikely to get side effects with hydrocortisone cream or ointment if you use it as directed by your physician. But still, you should watch out for the following side effects:

• Your child’s skin may appear redder when you begin applying the cream/ointment for the first time.
• Some individuals, when they put the cream on their face, get a burning or stinging sensation for a few minutes. After you have been using the cream for a few days, this stops happening.
• If the cream/ointment is used for a prolonged period of time, with no breaks in usage, there is a risk of permanently thinning and lightening the skin. Your doctor will advise you how to use the steroid to avoid this complication.

Risk Of Using Hydrocortisone For Eczema

Hydrocortisone, when used according to the advice of the doctor, is not dangerous. But when it is used for a long period of time, more than 4 weeks or without the consent of the doctor it can lead to other complications such as:

• Skin infection
• Worsening of skin irritation
• Muscle cramps
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Slow growth of children
• Stomach and back pain
• Unwanted hair growth.

How Long Does Hydrocortisone Cream Take To Work?

It depends on the severity of the condition. Usually, hydrocortisone takes a few days to show visible results. In most cases, it is used for a couple weeks out of the month when prescribed by the doctor. Because continuous use of this cream for a long period of time can cause other complications, doctors prescribe its use for a short period of time.

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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