The cream formulation of Dermacort was developed in order to optimise the release and partition of its active ingredient, hydrocortisone, into the skin. It is used to treat eczema, Seborrheic eczema, skin inflammation due to allergies or irritants, and skin reactions to insect bites and stings.
When hydrocortisone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the cells to decrease the release of inflammatory substances which cause blood vessels to widen. This reduces skin irritation and allows the skin to heal. Dermacort relieves itching in only a few hours.
What’s on this page:
Eczema: Brief overview
Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed. Eczema is a general term for dermatitis, which is the term normally used for the inflammation of the skin. All types of eczema cause itching and redness and some will blister or peel. There are several types of eczema, and to know which type of the condition you have is relevant to the type of treatment you will need.
While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers do know that people who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When an irritant or an allergen is exposed to the immune system, skin cells don’t behave as they normally would and therefore cause flare-ups.
Treatment
Demacort is used to treat eczema, Seborrheic eczema, skin inflammation due to allergies or irritants, and skin reactions to insect bites and stings. Skin inflammation happens when an allergic reaction or irritation of the skin causes various substances to be released in the skin that make blood vessels widen and result in the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful.
When hydrocortisone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the cells to decrease the release of inflammatory substances which cause blood vessels to widen. This reduces skin irritation and allows the skin to heal. Dermacort relieves itching in only a few hours.
Can I buy Dermacort online in the UK?
When treating the condition, a doctor will usually assess its severity before advising which type of medication (if necessary) to use. Dermacort is available for purchase online through a secure prescription service, like an online clinic. But you should keep in mind that in the UK this is a prescription-only medicine, so you will have to obtain a prescription in order to buy it legally.
Most online clinics offer various forms of consultations with a doctor – from live chat apps, to customized questionnaires, all these methods are there to help the doctor employed by the online clinic to make an informed decision about your suitability for the treatment, based on your medical profile and history.
If you get the all clear from the doctor, he will issue a prescription and use it that very same moment to send the required medicine straight to your doorstep.
How to use Dermacort?
When using Dermacort, it is absolutely crucial to precisely follow the guidelines presented to you by your prescriber. In addition to this, you should also consult the official patient information leaflet that you can find within every box of the medicine for a detailed overview of the treatment. Doing so will go a long way in diminishing the risk of side effects while at the same time boosting the chances of success.
Some most general guidelines can be described as follows:
- Dermacort hydrocortisone cream should be applied thinly to the affected area(s) of skin once or twice a day for up to seven days
- Don’t use the cream on broken or infected areas of skin and don’t apply it to the face unless instructed to by your doctor
- Take care to avoid getting the cream in your eyes, mouth, nose or genital area. Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the cream, unless the hands are the area being treated.
- Don’t cover the area being treated with airtight dressings such as bandages or other dressings unless directed by a doctor, as these will enhance the absorption of the medicine into the body and may increase the risk of side effects
- See your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve, or worsen in the first seven days of using the cream
- Do not use Dermacort for longer than seven days without consulting your doctor
- If you think the area of skin you are treating has become infected you should stop using Dermacort and consult your doctor.
Are there any side effects?
As is the case with all prescription medicines, Dermacort also comes with an array of potential side effects. The most serious of them certainly is an allergic reaction to the medicine. If you turn out to be allergic to Dermacort or any of its ingredients, it is essential to contact the emergency services immediately and ask for advice. The symptoms of any possible side effects are:
- Stinging
- Burning
- Irritation
- Dryness or redness at the application site may occur
- Acne
- Unusual hair growth
- Skin thinning/discoloration
- stretch marks
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Dermacort contraindications
In order to ensure the safety of this treatment, always make sure to disclose all the relevant info to your doctor and this includes other medicines you might be taking at the moment and other medical conditions that you might be affected by.
Hypersensitivity to Dermacort Cream is a contraindication. In addition, Dermacort Cream should not be used if you have the following conditions:
- Allergic reactions
- Breastfeeding
- Children below the age of 5 years
- Epilepsy
- Osteoporosis
- Peptic ulcer
- Pregnant
- Renal failure
- Severe mental disorder
- Tuberculous
- Viral or fungal infections
