If you don't see results or your eczema symptoms are getting worse, you should contact your dermatologist for a different treatment plan. Regardless of the concentration, steroid creams “start working within 1 day,” says Dr. Corinna Bowser. She is an allergist and immunologist at Suburban Allergy Consultants in the Philadelphia area.
There are several over-the-counter creams you can use to treat eczema. Topical hydrocortisones can be purchased without a prescription. They are low in concentration and help reduce irritation and inflammation. These creams are usually used one to four times a day, for up to 7 days.
Many doctors agree that oral steroids are a useful option for treating short-term outbreaks of eczema. In the United Kingdom, topical steroid preparations fall into four categories based on their strength or potency. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the amount of steroids to use; there are guidelines for the amount needed to cover areas of the body that are affected by eczema. For these reasons, topical steroid use is limited to short periods of time under the supervision of a physician or nurse.
It also relates to the extent to which the topical steroid inhibits inflammation and its potential to cause side effects. If side effects occur, they are often related to the topical use of steroids for a longer period of time and in areas of the body where the skin is thinner, such as on the face. For insect bites and stings, diaper rash, or contact dermatitis, you probably only need to use a skin cream for up to 1 week. Talk to a health professional or pharmacist if you have questions about the use of steroid creams.
However, for most people, topical steroids should be used for short periods of treatment, at the right concentration that suits the person's age, the severity of the eczema, and the body area, to control an eczema outbreak. Follow your doctor's instructions or instructions on the steroid cream package to know how much to apply and how often to use the steroid cream for eczema. All steroid creams are used only on the outside of the body and should never be swallowed or placed inside the body. You will usually be directed to apply topical steroids for short periods of treatment and then stop or stop using them when the eczema settles.
Highly potent topical corticosteroids are generally prescribed for up to 3 weeks, while medium-strength corticosteroids may be prescribed for up to 12 weeks. She is a pharmacist in Midvale, Utah, and specializes in helping people who take prednisone, a type of steroid.
