Locoid cream is recommended for clinical use in the treatment of conditions responsive to topical corticosteroids e.g. eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
Locoid cream and ointment both contain the active ingredient hydrocortisone butyrate, which is a type of medicine called a topical corticosteroid.
What’s on this page:
What causes eczema: A 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 exist 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 an eczema flare-up.
How does Locoid cream work?
Locoid contains the active ingredient hydrocortisone butyrate, which is a type of medicine called a topical corticosteroid. When hydrocortisone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itching. Hydrocortisone butyrate is classed as a potent corticosteroid and is often used for skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis to reduce the swelling and itching of the skin, to prevent further complications like infections.
Can I buy Locoid cream online in the UK?
Yes, it is possible to purchase this drug online after a quick consultation on chat or a phone consultation. Locoid is not prescription free and therefore you must always have a prescription from your doctor in order to start the treatment. Never start such treatment without talking to a doctor, and do not buy this medicine online from pages that do not require a doctor’s consultation. These are unauthorized online pharmacies and can sell fake versions of the drug.
If you are fit for the treatment, you will receive it directly by mail from an approved pharmacy in the UK.
How do I use Locoid?
When using this medicine, 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:
- Locoid is for external use on the skin only
- The cream should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s)
- Avoid getting the medicine in the eyes, or in contact with the inside of the mouth or nose. Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated
- If your doctor has advised you to use dressings with this medicine, the skin should be cleansed before applying the cream under a fresh dressing
- If this medicine is used on the face, wherever possible it should not be used for longer than seven days. You should not use airtight dressings to cover the area treated
- If you think the area of skin you are treating has become infected you should stop using this medicine and consult your doctor
Read the information leaflet that follows with the package or consult your doctor for more information about the usage of this medicine.
Is there any side effects?
Like all medicines, this cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most serious of them certainly is an allergic reaction to the medicine. If you turn out to be allergic to Locoid or any of its ingredients, it is essential to contact the emergency services immediately and ask for advice. The symptoms of allergic side effects are:
- You have difficulty breathing
- Your face or throat swell
- Your skin develops a severe rash
Other possible side effects include:
- Skin irritation at site of application, such as burning, itching and redness.
- Allergic inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis)
- Thinning of the skin
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Stretch marks
- Groupings of fine blood vessels becoming prominent under the skin (telangiectasia)
If you think you have experienced a side effect from a medicine you should check the patient information leaflet or contact your GP for further information.
Are there any contraindications with this medicine?
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 Locoid Cream is a contraindication. In addition, this cream should not be used if you have the following:
- Untreated viral or fungal infections, tubercular or syphilitic lesions, peri-oral dermatitis, acne and rosacea and in bacterial infections unless used in connection with appropriate chemotherapy
- You are pregnant
- You are breastfeeding
