This medication is used to treat a variety of skin conditions (such as insect bites, poison oak/ivy, eczema, dermatitis, allergies, rash, itching of the outer female genitals, anal itching). Hydrocortisone reduces the swelling, itching, and redness that can occur in these types of conditions.

Cortizone-10® is the #1 Doctor Recommended OTC Topical Anti-Itch Brand. All Cortizone-10® products are powered by hydrocortisone, and provide the maximum-strength itch relief available without a prescription.

This medication is a mild corticosteroid.

Key facts. Most people need to use hydrocortisone treatments once or twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks. But if you buy it from a pharmacy or shop, do not use it for more than 1 week, talk to a doctor first. Never put hydrocortisone on your face unless your doctor says it's OK and has given you a prescription for it.

Serious side effects, such as hormonal changes and high blood glucose levels, can occur if hydrocortisone cream is used too often or for a long time.

MONISTAT CARE® Instant Itch Relief Cream provides fast relief for itching and irritation around the vaginal area. Instead of just numbing the itch, like many creams do, our fragrance-free Instant Itch Relief Cream contains 1% hydrocortisone to stop the itch instantly.

HYDROCORTISONE AND HOW IT WORKS Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid, a specific type of steroid medication. It works to activate the natural steroids in your skin to reduce redness, swelling, and itching. Cortisone is a naturally occurring hormone in the body.

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. If the treated area starts to bleed, especially if you are using this product for anal itching, contact your doctor right away. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

Topical steroids like hydrocortisone cream can cause skin thinning, also called skin atrophy. Steroids cause thin skin due to their effects on skin cells. Symptoms can include transparent, wrinkled, and shiny skin.

Hydrocortisone cream is usually well-tolerated. Some of its more common side effects are itchy skin, skin irritation, and dryness. Serious side effects, such as hormonal changes and high blood glucose levels, can occur if hydrocortisone cream is used too often or for a long time.

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone is the lowest-potency steroid cream available, but could cause thinning of the skin if used daily for many consecutive weeks. This is especially true if steroid cream is used on thin, sensitive skin such as the eyelids, genital areas, or the folds of the skin.

Topical steroids can cause unwanted skin effects These include thinning or atrophy of the skin (due to reduction in collagen), opportunistic infection, telangiectasia, purpura, periorificial dermatitis and the worsening of rosacea.