Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment

Hydrocortisone 1% is a mildly potent corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties. It belongs to a group of medicines called steroids that reduce swelling and irritation. It is used to help reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.

Cream versus Ointment

We would recommend choosing the ointment version if your skin is very dry or prone to stinging when applying products, and we would recommend the cream version if you do not like the greasiness of an ointment or your skin is moister. 

Hydrocortisone 1% creams and ointments are designed for use on the body- if you are experiencing eczema or psoriasis of the scalp then we would recommend using a scalp treatment such as Betacap Solution, Elocon Scalp Lotion or Bettamousse Foam. Hydrocortisone 1% creams and ointments should not be used on the face or genitals or for longer than 1-2 weeks at a time. If you have recurrent eczema or dermatitis on the face, then you can consider non-steroid topical formulations such as Protopic or Elidel, which do not cause typical steroid side effects such as skin atrophy (thinning).

• Apply Once or Twice a day as directed by your pharmacist or doctor. This may be reduced as your skin begins to get better.
• Spread Thinly- A fingertip amount of cream or ointment will cover the same area as that of 2 palms of your hands. See the ‘Topical Steroids Factsheet’ in our ‘Resources Section’ for more information on how much and where to apply.
• For Short Term Use Only- We generally recommend applying for 1-2 weeks at a time. Once your symptoms are controlled you may apply it once/twice every 1-2 weeks to keep symptoms at bay. You should not apply continuously for long periods, or on large areas, as this can cause unwanted side effects and can be dangerous.
• Try to apply the cream or ointment using a ‘smoothing’ motion as opposed to ‘rubbing in’; and apply in the direction of hair growth on the skin to prevent hair follicles getting blocked.
• If your skin is dry, you may want to apply the steroid cream or ointment soon after bathing/showering or applying an emollient first. We advise to leave a small gap of 10-15minutes between applying steroids and emollients preparations to prevent diluting the steroid and spreading it to areas of skin that don’t need it.
• This product is for use on your skin only and do not use more than the amount prescribed for you.
• If you are applying the cream/ointment on someone else, make sure you wash your hands after use or wear disposable plastic gloves.
• If your skin problem does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

•        Do not use the product if you are allergic (hypersensitive) or suspect allergy to any of the ingredients contained within it.

•        Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

•        For external use only- do not swallow and keep away from eyes.

•        Do not smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns.

•        Do not use on a child under 1 year of age.

•        Do not use to treat any of the following skin problems, it could make them worse: - acne - severe flushing of skin on and around your nose (rosacea) - spotty red rash around your mouth (perioral dermatitis) - itching around your back passage or private parts - infected skin (unless the infection is being treated with an anti-infective medicine at the same time) - itchy skin which is not inflamed.

•        Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using topical Hydrocortisone 1% products if:

You have previously had an allergic reaction with another steroid, you are applying the cream under an airtight dressing (including a child’s nappy), you have psoriasis, you are using for a chronic leg ulcer (you may be at increased risk of local allergic reaction or infection), you are applying to a large surface area, you are applying the cream on broken skin or within the skin folds, you are applying near eyes or on eyelids (cataracts or glaucoma may result if the cream repeatedly enters the eye), you have an infection of the skin (as this will need to be treated), you are applying to thin skin such as the face or on children (their skin is thinner than adults and as a result may absorb larger amounts).

•        Use on children or on the face should be limited to 5 days.

•        Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

•        Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicine, especially if you are taking ritonavir and itraconazole medications.

Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment

Active Ingredients: Hydrocortisone 1%

Other Ingredients: Wool Fat, Liquid Paraffin and White Soft Paraffin.

All medications and products can potentially cause side effects- If they are severe, or are mild and do not improve, then you should speak to your pharmacist or doctor immediately. This list may not be exhaustive so please consult the patient information leaflet for the full list.


Common Side effects (affecting 1%- 10% of people): a feeling of burning, pain, irritation or itching where the product is applied
Very Rare Side effects (affecting up to 0.01% of people): An increased risk of infection, an allergic skin reaction where the cream is applied, rash- itchy bumpy skin or redness of the skin, thinning and dryness of your skin and it may also damage or wrinkle more easily, stretch marks may develop, blood vessels under the surface of your skin may become more noticeable, an increase or reduction in hair growth or hair loss and changes in skin colour, weight gain, rounding of the face, delayed weight gain or slowing of growth in children, bones can become thin, weak and break easily, cloudy lens in the eye (cataract) or increased pressure in eye (glaucoma), a decrease in the level of the hormone cortisol in your blood, increased blood sugar levels or sugar in the urine and high blood pressure.
Frequency Unknown: Blurred Vision, Steroid withdrawal reaction (If used continuously for prolonged periods a withdrawal reaction may occur on stopping treatment with some or all the following features: redness of the skin which can extend beyond the initial area treated, a burning or stinging sensation, intense itching, peeling of the skin and/or oozing open sores.)