Day 108: Why I shouldn't use hydrocortisone cream (1%) for more than 7 days?

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Hydrocortisone is a mild topical corticosteroid.

Hydrocortisone relieves the symptoms of a flare-up by reducing inflammation, itching and redness. It also reduces inflammation due to irritants such as insect stings and in nappy rash.

Side effects:
Short courses (less than four weeks) of hydrocortisone are usually safe and do not cause any problems.

If used for long periods, your skin may develop:

1. Steroid atrophy 
- All cortisone topical medicines, even low-potency ones like Locoid, will eventually thin the skin. It’s called steroid trophy. It is reversible at first, but eventually the thinning can become permanent. Steroid atrophy of the skin is seen as skin wrinkling, “broken capillaries,” and skin weakness. On non-facial areas you can also see striae (stretch marks) as well.

2. Discolouration 
- There may be a temporary loss of pigment in the areas of skin treated; this may be more noticeable in dark-skinned people.

3. Steroid addiction
- Sometimes the skin may become allergic to the steroid, making the eczema appear to get worse.

4. Bruising 
- The skin may also bruise more easily and become more susceptible to infection.

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