rash using hydrocortisone cream?

[Wonder_Kid]

I have recently developed a rash on my skin, it is not irritating, and does not burn, i use hydrocortisone cream, but not sure if it works...i also do alot of washing using detergents etc, is this contributing to my rash? If hydrocortisone is the answer...how often shuld i apply it etc, if anyone can help, it wuld be appreciated.

[andy hughes]

It may be the detergent that is irritaitng your skin. Hydrocortisone is OK, but use it sparingly, apply a thin film before you go to sleep at night. If the rash persists, see yur GP, it may be an allergy to something in your diet, and some tests will establish what you need to avoid.

[brawburd]

hydrocortisone does a great job but u need to be careful just how much you use it; according to my GP prolonged use causes thinning of the skin. I agree with andy - see the doc.

[omblod]

I used hydrocortisone cream for several months without realising its side-effects and discovered that it slowed the healing of cuts. Try washing the dry area with a soap-free emollient wash like E45 and then applying a moisturiser. It might do the trick. PS, I don't work for E45!

[tracymort]

imo hydrocortisone is a last reort. my baby son had eczma and the doc prescribed steroids. I didn't touch them and used homeopathy and probiotics instead. you should have seen my GP's face 2 months later when my son had the clearest skin you'd ever seen without using his creams! You are best of finding the cause rather that just treating the symptoms.

[hpretty]

sounds like contact dermatitis, which is essentially a form of eczema caused by an irritant applied to your skin. It is quite common to get this on your hands if you wash them regularly using detergents, my sis for example is a midwife which involves lots of handwashing and she has big problems with this. You need to keep your hands dry as much as possible, perhaps by wearing gloves, i think you can get special ones for this kind of skin condition. good luck!