Modern medicine widely uses various hormones to treat many diseases. One of these drugs is Hydrocortisone ointment, which has long been successfully used in the treatment of skin diseases, as well as in the medical treatment of inflammatory ophthalmic diseases. This drug finds a place in cosmetology. Our article will tell you in detail about the instructions for the hydrocortisone ointment, its composition and feedback from both users and doctors. We will also offer a list of analogues of this medicine.
Indications for use
Doctors often recommend Hydrocortisone ointment to their patients for the treatment of skin diseases caused primarily by chemical, physical effects or allergies. This remedy has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, moreover, "Hydrocortisone" effectively relieves itching.
The greatest healing effect from the use of ointments is achieved with external therapy of acute dermatoses. The treatment of chronic skin diseases with hydrocortisone ointment is also practiced, but it does not happen so quickly and successfully.
Immediately after application to the skin, the hormone, which is part of the ointment, easily penetrates the epidermis and inhibits the action of inflammatory mediators. Due to this, the painful symptoms of irritation on the skin begin to quickly disappear: the area of redness is reduced, pain and swelling pass.
The instructions for ointment "Hydrocortisone" says that it is intended for the treatment of the following diseases:
- dermatitis (especially in the acute stage);
- eczema;
- skin irritation caused by insect bites;
- psoriasis;
- seborrhea;
- neurodermatitis;
- erythroderma;
- pruritus.
Hydrocortisone eye ointment is prescribed for eye burns, as well as in the following cases:
- blepharitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- keratitis;
- uveitis;
- iridocyclitis;
- with inflammation of the organs of vision of the anterior section.
The composition of the drug
As can be seen from the previous information, the indications for the use of ointment "Hydrocortisone" are quite wide. The effectiveness of the drug is provided by the main active ingredient - hydrocortisone. This is a synthetic hormone from the group of glucocorticosteroids.
In addition to the main component, additional auxiliary substances are present in the ointment: lanolin, stearic acid, pentol, petrolatum and methyl parahydroxybenzoate.
Ointment "Hydrocortisone": instructions for use
In the treatment of this external agent there is nothing complicated. The ointment is simply applied with a thin layer on the painful areas of the skin and rubbed until completely absorbed. After application, wash your hands thoroughly. It is necessary to apply the drug to cleansed skin 1-3 times a day. The ointment should be recommended by a doctor. It will depend on how strongly the pathological process is expressed.
How to use hydrocortisone ointment for eye treatment
We give a simple instruction to the hydrocortisone ophthalmic ointment. In the treatment of eye diseases, a small amount of the drug is carefully placed under the lower eyelid (in the conjunctival sac), after which the eye must be closed.
The duration of treatment is no more than 2 weeks. But according to the individual recommendation of a doctor, it can be extended. Throughout the treatment course, it is necessary to monitor intraocular pressure.
Overdose
Cases of overdose when using the drug to treat skin diseases are rare. However, you should know that when using the hydrocortisone ophthalmic ointment for too long (more than 14 days), the following health deviations may occur:
- violation of the adrenal glands;
- increase in blood glucose;
- allergic skin rashes;
- imbalance of the menstrual regime in women;
- stunted growth (in children);
- visual impairment (if hydrocortisone ointment is used);
- increased skin tissue regeneration time;
- increase in pressure;
- metabolic disorders;
- development of vasculitis.
Side effects
After regular use of the hydrocortisone ointment, a number of the following side effects may occur (in rare cases):
- Redness of the area of the skin on which the ointment was applied and the occurrence of an allergic reaction. This usually occurs due to individual intolerance to hydrocortisone or hypersensitivity to it.
- Unpleasant burning and itching of the skin at the site of application of the drug.
- The development of cataracts and glaucoma (in the treatment of ocular hydrocortisone ointment).
special instructions
"Hydrocortisone" is an ointment that doctors do not recommend using for more than 3-5 days. Five consecutive days is the maximum duration of use of the drug. At the same time, it is recommended to refuse treatment with ointment smoothly and gradually. To do this, you can add a regular cream to the drug. The dose of cream should be increased daily, and the proportion of ointment, on the contrary, should be reduced. This will help reduce the stress on the adrenal glands.
If the patient uses the ointment for 1-2 days and at the same time does not see any positive results in the treatment, this serves as an occasion to see a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and prescribe another therapy.
The use of hydrocortisone ophthalmic ointment requires a temporary refusal (for the entire period of therapy) from wearing contact lenses.
The use of hydrocortisone ointment during pregnancy is possible only during periods 2 and 3 of the trimester. In the first trimester, this is strictly prohibited, due to the possible negative effect of the hormonal drug on the formation of the embryo.
Contraindications for use
The indications for the use of Hydrocortisone ointment were given above, now we have to get acquainted with a restrictive list of contraindications. Here he is:
- the age of the child is up to two years;
- open wound surfaces;
- rosacea or acne;
- diseases of the eyes or skin of fungal etiology;
- violation of the integrity of the cornea (in the treatment of eyes);
- if any vaccine has recently been given;
- individual intolerance;
- inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes of the genitals or oral cavity;
- neoplasms on the skin;
- lupus;
- ulcerative erosion.
Reviews about the drug
Hydrocortisone ointment is a time-tested drug. Therefore, there are a lot of reviews about him and mostly they have a positive color. Most people who have tested the effect of the drug, note that it is both effective and inexpensive.
Ointment "Hydrocortisone" for the eyes helps to quickly drive away barley from the eyelid, remove the manifestations of allergies and conjunctivitis. Ophthalmologist patients say that when they went to the clinic with complaints such as itching, redness of the eyeball, swelling, etc., specialists often prescribed exactly hydrocortisone ointment for treatment. And she literally helped for 2-4 days. Moreover, significant relief manifested itself the very next day after using the drug.
Often in reviews, people who have been helped by an ointment to get rid of skin diseases express surprise that the price of Hydrocortisone ointment is so low. The cost of the drug is in the region of 25-135 rubles. In addition, this tool is dispensed without a prescription. People write that they used to use many liniment, including imported and very expensive. But the real therapeutic effect helped to get only this domestic affordable drug. Many people consider the presence of ointment in their home medicine cabinet mandatory and use it as a first aid. For example, in order to relieve itching after mosquito bites, etc.
There are even reviews from those who regularly resort to using the drug with hydrocortisone to treat their four-legged pets. After all, those also often have problems with the skin and eyes. So, it turns out to animals this ointment helps as well as people.
The use of ointments in cosmetology
Recently, women have often resorted to hydrocortisone ointment to combat wrinkles. Instructions for use say nothing about the use of this liniment as a cosmetic product. However, there are many reviews that claim that hydrocortisone ointment has the following anti-aging properties:
- increases the elasticity of the epidermis;
- tightens sagging skin;
- smoothes out not too deep wrinkles.
It would seem that everything is fine, and the price of Hydrocortisone ointment is low, but cosmetologists still do not recommend trying to restore youth with Hydrocortisone.
Hydrocortisone wrinkle treatment - expert reviews
Doctors urge women not to risk and not to put on themselves dangerous experiments. Ointment "Hydrocortisone" is a hormonal drug that is forbidden to use for more than 5 days. Here are a number of factors that cannot be ignored:
- Prolonged use of hormonal drugs can lead to the development of cardiovascular pathology and cancer.
- With the frequent use of "Hydrocortisone" as a cosmetic product, the body quickly forms a habit of constant intake of the hormone. This leads to the fact that each time an increasing concentration of the ointment will be required to obtain the expected effect.
- Apparent rejuvenation is an illusion that will soon have to say goodbye. Hydrocortisone gradually causes atrophic changes in the epidermis (this layer becomes thinner and loses moisture), disrupts the collagen structure, as a result of which new wrinkles will form, and the skin will begin to age faster.
- Corticosteroid accumulating in the skin can cause severe allergic reactions.
There are no reasonable indications for ointment "Hydrocortisone" to use it as a cosmetic product. Cosmetologists say that with the help of hydrocortisone ointment it is possible to get only a short-term aesthetic effect, and further use of the product can only lead to disappointment and health problems.
Analogs
In order for the treatment to be effective, a qualified doctor should select a replacement for Hydrocortisone. At the same time, you need to understand that all analogues are also hormonal, and they can have all the disadvantages and advantages of such drugs.
I must say that there is no one hundred percent similar substitute for ointment, which is discussed in our article. The drugs that are listed below are combination agents. Along with hydrocortisone, they contain various additives, most often these are antibiotics. List of analogues of "Hydrocortisone":
- Lokoid
- Solu Cortef;
- Laticort;
- "Cortomycetin";
- Pimafukort;
- Primacort
- "Lokoid Crepe."
We also offer to familiarize yourself with the list of hydrocortisone analogues, which include other corticosteroids:
- Sinaflan
- "Elokom";
- Prednisolone
- "Fluorocort";
- Advantan
- "Celestoderm."
Storage conditions
It is important to observe the conditions for proper storage of the product specified in the instructions. The drug remains effective for 3 years from the date of release if stored at a temperature not exceeding 15 degrees and in a dark place. The top shelf of the refrigerator is best suited for this.