Patient advice for women requiring a highly-potent topical steroid for example Dermovate® cream or ointment Clobetesol

You should wash off any steroid cream applied to your breasts before feeding your baby. In the case of scalp psoriasis it is reasonable to use a more potent corticosteroid. Unfortunately there are only potent or very potent corticosteroid products, such as gels, foams, shampoos or lotions.

• Find out more about other ways you can use hydrocortisone to treat different health problems.
• Most adults and children can use topical corticosteroids safely, but there are situations when they are not recommended.
• Sometimes you may be prescribed them under the supervision of a skincare specialist (dermatologist).
• Steroid injections are often only given at intervals of at least 6 weeks.

There’s no clear evidence that hydrocortisone skin treatments affect male or female fertility. But tell the doctor or nurse that you’re using hydrocortisone cream so they can give the vaccine in an untreated area of skin. If you’re using a treatment you’ve bought from a pharmacy or shop, speak to your doctor if you still have symptoms after 1 week, or if your skin gets worse at any time.

Steroid cards

You can usually continue to use this as normal while you’re pregnant. For insect bites and stings, nappy rash or contact dermatitis you’ll probably only need to use hydrocortisone for up to 1 week. Talk to your doctor if you’re worried about the risks of your child using hydrocortisone. Find out more about other ways you can use hydrocortisone to treat different health problems.

• Read on for everything you need to know about the most suitable topical steroid creams for your eczema and other skin conditions.
• Stronger steroid creams are available if you’re finding that weaker treatments aren’t proving to be effective or if you have particularly thick skin.
• There aren’t usually any severe side effects if you take steroid injections, a steroid inhaler, or a short course of steroid tablets.
• Hydrocortisone skin treatments work on your skin’s cells to stop these chemicals being released.
• Steroid tablets may be recommended if you’re pregnant and have severe asthma.

The recommended course of treatment largely depends on weighing up the benefits of corticosteroids against the side effects. For most people, steroid inhalers and steroid injections shouldn’t cause any bad side effects. Steroid tablets are generally prescribed with more caution, as these may cause more problems. Corticosteroids, often known as steroids, are an anti-inflammatory medicine.

Topical corticosteroids treatment pathway

However, it can occasionally happen if they’re used at high doses and for a long time. It’s sometimes necessary for steroid tablets to be taken for longer periods. In these cases, you may be more likely to develop troublesome side effects.

Using hydrocortisone for a long time without stopping can mean some of the medicine gets into your blood. If this happens, there’s a very small chance it can cause serious side effects, such as adrenal gland problems, high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia), or problems with your eyesight. If your doctor has prescribed hydrocortisone for your face, follow their instructions carefully.

Who can and cannot use hydrocortisone skin treatments

Only use this treatment if a skin specialist (dermatologist) prescribes it and supervises your treatment. It’s extremely rare to have an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to hydrocortisone, but if this happens to you get medical help straight away. Your child’s doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully for as long as they’re using hydrocortisone. This will help them spot any slowing down of your child’s growth and change their treatment if needed.

Andrew Proctor, Chief Executive of National Eczema Society said:

If the steroid cream gets on to the eye lid then some may leach into the eye. This can cause a rise in eye pressure in susceptible individuals and secondary glaucoma can be induced. Care must be taken not to get steroid cream near the eyes but if you have been prescribed steroid skin cream for use around the eye lid area, you should have your eye pressures monitored.

If you use it twice a day, try to leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours before putting on any more. When using hydrocortisone on your skin, follow the instructions from your pharmacist, doctor or the leaflet that comes with your treatment. Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (corticosteroid). Sometimes, the amount of medicine you’re advised to use will be given in fingertip units (FTUs).

If you have troublesome side effects, don’t stop taking your medication until your doctor says it’s safe to do so. Steroid injections are often only given at intervals of at least 6 weeks. Steroids that are injected steroids to buy into muscles and joints may cause some pain and swelling at the site of the injection. There’s no evidence to suggest that using a steroid inhaler during pregnancy increases the risk of problems like birth defects.