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<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeFocus HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">Hydrocortisone for Itching</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-sig51354-sec"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="b4cb0a40" fingerprint-exact="e7c3d1bb">Overview</h2> <p fingerprint="93f0ebf9" fingerprint-exact="aa9bdf0d">Hydrocortisone cream, gel, or ointment is available without a prescription. It is commonly used to treat skin <span class="HwOptionalAny"><a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sti150782" data-hw-section="sti150782-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sti150782" data-hwid="sti150782" hw:section-href="sti150782-sec" href="?id=sti150782#sti150782-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">inflammation</span></a></span> and itching.</p> <p fingerprint="167d98eb" fingerprint-exact="62221a1e">Precautions</p> <ul fingerprint="0556480e" fingerprint-exact="51a394a2"> <li>Carefully read and follow all label directions on the medicine bottle or box.</li> <li>Do not use the cream on children younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to.</li> <li>Do not use in the diaper area unless your doctor tells you to.</li> <li>Do not use in the rectal or vaginal area on children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to.</li> <li>Do not continue to use the cream if there is no improvement after 48 hours.</li> <li>Do not continue to use the cream longer than 4 to 5 days unless your doctor tells you to.</li> <li>Do not use hydrocortisone cream on weeping, scraped, or infected skin.</li> <li>Avoid getting the cream in the eyes.</li> <li>Use very sparingly on facial rashes and on the back of the hands.</li> </ul> <p fingerprint="e8ae4111" fingerprint-exact="1c4a2672"> <b>Dosage</b>: Apply to the rash area 4 times a day. Rub the cream in well.</p> <p fingerprint="0b380147" fingerprint-exact="6d563707">Side effects</p> <ul fingerprint="abaeeff4" fingerprint-exact="b8676e78"> <li>Burning</li> <li>Increased itching</li> <li>Increase in rash</li> <li>Skin infection</li> </ul> <p fingerprint="b1ddd103" fingerprint-exact="304262a0">If side effects occur, stop using the cream. Call your doctor if treatment of the condition is still needed.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionRelatedInformation" id="sec-sig51354-RelInfo"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d5f858e0" fingerprint-exact="c0ffe04b">Related Information</h2><ul fingerprint="13c34f0d" fingerprint-exact="2bf898cb"><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Symptom" data-hw-document-href="burns" data-hw-section="hw109096" hw:document-type="Symptom" hw:document-href="burns" data-hwid="burns" hw:section-href="hw109096" href="?id=burns#hw109096">Burns and Electric Shock</a></li><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Symptom" data-hw-document-href="insbt" data-hw-section="hw95886" hw:document-type="Symptom" hw:document-href="insbt" data-hwid="insbt" hw:section-href="hw95886" href="?id=insbt#hw95886">Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites</a></li><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Symptom" data-hw-document-href="jelly" data-hw-section="aa121032" hw:document-type="Symptom" 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class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</span></a><br><span><b><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Clinical Review Board</span></a></b></span><br>All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigation"><div class="HwSectionNavItem" style="display:block" id="secNav-sig51354-sec"><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNext"><p>Next Section: </p><a class="HwLinkNavstack" 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