Medication guide
Hydrocortisone (0.5% & 1%)
- Generic name
- Hydrocortisone (0.5% & 1%)
- Common brand names
- Cortizone-10, Cortaid
- Medication class
- Low-potency topical corticosteroid
Overview
Its medication class is Low-potency topical corticosteroid. Common uses include Mild eczema, insect bites, and rash inflammation. Product forms and labels can differ, so follow the specific package instructions and ask a pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional about individual questions.
How to Take it
- Route
- Topical skin product.
- Time of day
- Apply once to twice daily; for rash/fungal products continue through full course.
- With food/water
- External use only.
- Preparation
- Apply thin layer to clean, dry skin; patch test where possible.
- Safe dose
- Small layer over affected lesions only.
- Max dose
- Do not exceed area/frequency limits on label.
- Frequency
- Usually once to twice daily.
- Other recommendations
- Stop if severe burning, swelling, or spreading redness appears.
Common uses
- Mild eczema
- insect bites
- rash inflammation
Common side effects
- Skin thinning with prolonged use
- irritation
- dryness
- burning
- and acneiform eruptions
Important warnings
- Avoid prolonged use on face, groin, or intertriginous skin due atrophy and pigment changes. Do not use on infected skin, open wounds, or severe eczema without medical advice. Avoid overuse in diabetes or immune-compromised states. Stop if swelling, extensive oozing, or severe skin infection occurs.
General interactions information
Do not combine with potent steroids on same area unless clinician-directed
Sources / references
- Hydrocortisone Topical — MedlinePlus
U.S. National Library of Medicine
These references offer further reading. A source link does not establish that a clinician has reviewed every statement in this guide.
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