HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream

What is HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream and what is it used for?

HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream is a topical cream that contains the steroid hydrocortisone acetate, which reduces skin inflammation resulting from allergy or irritation. This cream quickly soothes symptoms associated with a range of skin reactions, insect bites, stings and mild to moderate eczema.

HC45 Cream has been specially formulated by skincare experts at E45 and comes in a 15g size. It can be used to treat itching, irritation and inflammation of the skin in adults and children over the age of 10 years for up to 10 days.

How does HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream work?

Skin inflammation usually results from an allergy or irritation caused by the immune system’s release of histamine. Histamine causes the blood vessels to widen and results in skin that is red, swollen, itchy and painful. When applied to the skin, the active ingredient hydrocortisone acts inside the skin cells to decrease histamine’s release. This reduces swelling, redness and itching.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a group of skin conditions that lead to irritated and dry skin. The condition can manifest in a variety of ways, including:

• Red, brown, grey or purple patches on your skin
• Leaking and crusting bumps on your skin
• Small and rough bumps on your skin
• Thick, leathery patches of skin
• Swelling and warmth of skin
• Dry and scaly areas of skin

Eczema is one of the most common skin issues, with the National Eczema Society noting that the condition affects 10% of adults and 20% of children in the UK.

Can eczema go away on its own?

If eczema is left untreated it can lead to a skin infection. This can lead to serious issues, such as sepsis (which can be life-threatening) and corneal infections (which could lead to blindness).

While there’s no cure for the condition and it doesn’t go away without attention, there are a number of treatments you can take to get rid of eczema. These include skin creams, hydrocortisone 1%, steroid creams, topical corticosteroids and antihistamine tablets.

Alternatives to HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream

Treating inflamed, itchy or irritated skin can be challenging. Most people find treating skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis with emollients or moisturisers can be very effective. These are some of the steroid creams and ointments you can use:

• Betamethasone 0.1% Cream & Ointment
• Betnovate Cream & Ointment
• Eumovate Cream & Ointment

For more information about eczema and dermatitis and treatment options please take a look at our Advice for Eczema and Dermatitis page.

If you are looking for a treatment for skin irritation due to an allergic reaction or insect bite or sting, at The Independent Pharmacy we stock a range of antihistamine tablets and liquids such as Piriton and Cetirizine that can be used as an alternative treatment or alongside HC45 Cream to help reduce inflammation and itching.

HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product:

• Do not use on eyes or face, anal or genital areas, or on broken or infected skin; e.g. impetigo, cold sores, acne or athlete’s foot
• Do not use it if pregnant, or on children under 10 without medical advice

Please read all packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor or the appropriate healthcare professionals of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream dosage

Adults, including the elderly and children 10 years and over:

Apply a small amount to the affected area once or twice a day for up to 7 days. It’s not a problem if there's a missed dose, as you can take another dosage to replace it (unless your next scheduled application is imminent).

If you use an emollient or moisturiser, apply it first and wait for 30 minutes before applying Hc45 cream. If your symptoms worsen or there is no improvement while using Hc45 cream speak to your doctor.

HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream ingredients

The active ingredients contained in this medicine is: Hydrocortisone acetate 1%.

The medicine also contains the following inactive ingredients: White soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, phenoxyethanol, purified water, cetomacrogol, emulsifying wax.

HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream side effects

In most cases, when Hc45 is used correctly no side effects will be experienced. However, if it is used incorrectly or excessively it can lead to the following adverse effects:

• Thin the skin so that it damages easily
• Allow the active ingredient to pass through the skin and affect other parts of the body causing further side effects
• In very rare cases, a change in the colour of the skin, or increased growth of hair in areas where the cream is used have been reported

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.