Dioderm is a corticosteroid cream, a topical treatment commonly prescribed in the UK for treatment of a number of different skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis. Developed and manufactured by Dermal Laboratories pharmaceutical company, this branded medication is based on hydrocortisone as its active ingredient. Highly adept at providing relief from psoriasis symptoms and reducing inflammation, Dioderm is a prescription-only medication that is to be applied to the affected area of skin twice daily. Simple to apply and very efficient at soothing inflammation, Dioderm is held in high regard by the medical community and patients alike.

What’s on this page?

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects roughly two per every hundred people in the UK. Marked by a range of symptoms manifested on skin including itchiness, irritation, redness, flaking and scaling (with the appearance of prominent scaly patches), psoriasis most commonly manifests on the elbows, knees, lower back and the scalp, but it can occur anywhere in the body.

What causes psoriasis?

This chronic condition usually appears before the age of 35 and it tends to go through periods of activity and dormancy ever since it first appeared. Recurrences of psoriasis outbreaks are usually triggered by identifiable factors such as stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, hormonal changes or certain medications.

As of now, scientists have yet to determine the exact cause of psoriasis. Autoimmune response is currently the most likely culprit for this condition, but there are certain theories which seem to dispute this as the root cause, instead viewing the autoimmune response which involves body’s attacks on the skin cells and their abnormally increased regeneration rate as symptoms more than causes.

How does Dioderm help with psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic condition and cannot be really cured, only managed. And this is exactly what Dioderm will aim to do. This medication contains hydrocortisone as the active ingredient which will efficiently inhibit the activity of the naturally-occurring inflammatory chemicals which cause the characteristic irritation and redness once it is introduced into the organism.

Can I buy Dioderm online in the UK?

Corticosteroids such as this are prescription-only medications, which means that you can buy Dioderm online in the UK only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. And the same is true if you decide to obtain Dioderm via so-called traditional route which involves going to the doctor, getting a prescription there and then waiting in line at the pharmacy to actually get the medicine.

However, if you decided to buy Dioderm without leaving the comfort of your home, you can do so fairly easily, but you will still be required to obtain a prescription. Luckily, this can be done easily thanks to a number of online clinics operating in the UK.

You will most likely be required to fill in a specialised and detailed medical questionnaire that the doctors employed by the clinic of your choice will use to determine your suitability for using Dioderm.

If everything checks out, the prescription will be issued and used that same moment to have the medicine order from the partner pharmacy to the address you provided during the sign up process. Alternatively, the doctor will prescribe you a suitable alternative. This may happen, for example, when your psoriasis manifests on the scalp. Those cases are usually treated with specialised medications such as Diprosone, so the doctor is likely to instruct you to get some of those medications instead of Dioderm.

How to use Dioderm?

As was mentioned, Dioderm cream is a potent corticosteroid and as such, it must be used exactly as instructed by your prescriber and in line with the official guidelines presented in the patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of this psoriasis treatment. Doing so will ensure optimal results while at the same time minimising the risk of experiencing side effects.

Below, we will provide you with some of the most general guidelines that you should keep in mind when using Dioderm. However, what follows is just a brief summary and as such, it can never be used as a substitute for the official information nor the doctor’s advice. Instead, we included this summary in our article to help you get a better idea of what using Dioderm might involve.

  • Always use exactly as instructed
  • A thin layer should be applied directly to the affected region twice per day
  • The total duration of the treatment will be determined by your doctor
  • The dose might be reduced to one application per day when the symptoms start to improve
  • Never exceed the prescribed dose
  • If you miss a dose, simply skip it and continue with the treatment as usual; one missed dose is unlikely to impact the outcome of the treatment

What are Dioderm side effects?

As is the case with most prescription medications, Dioderm also comes with a risk of experiencing certain side effects. It is advisable to get familiar with what could go wrong prior to commencing treatment so you will be able to act accordingly and seek medical advice if needed. Most Dioderm side effects are relatively mild or at least not dangerous, but you should immediately halt treatment and seek medical assistance if you notice any signs or symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction including:

  • Hives
  • Swelling of the face, lips, eyes or throat
  • Worsening of psoriasis symptoms

Other documented side effects are usually localised to the area of application and they include:

  • Skin thinning
  • Stretch marks
  • Adrenal suppression

These side effects are much more likely to occur in cases of prolonged or excessive use.

For more information on Dioderm side effects, please consult the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of this psoriasis medication.