1 May 2026Drugs for external use and antiseptics

Hydrocortisone Cream and Ointment: Dosing and Precautions

Topical hydrocortisone guidance for selected eczematous and bite reactions, with strict short-course precautions.

Also searched as

Hydrocortisone creamHydrocortisone ointment

Prescription under medical supervision

Source reviewed

source date listed on the source page

Guide category

Drugs for external use and antiseptics

Safety boundary

Prescription medicine information for clinician-guided use.

Kenza Health Hub presents this medicine page as structured health education. Check dose, route, interactions, pregnancy or breast-feeding considerations, and local protocol with a qualified clinician or pharmacist. Read our medical editorial policy.

This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.

Therapeutic action

Topical corticosteroid.

Indications

Atopic eczema, contact eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Reactions to insect bites.

Forms and strengths

1% cream and ointment.

Dose and duration

Child and adult: one application once daily or 2 times daily to the affected area only, in thin layer, for 7 days maximum.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

Do not use:

For more than 7 days.
In case of acne, rosacea, perioral dermatoses, untreated bacterial (impetigo, etc.), fungal (candidiasis and dermatophytosis) and viral (herpes) skin infections.
Under occlusive dressing, on large areas of skin or on wounds, especially in infants and children (increased local and systemic adverse effects).
May cause irritations, pruritus, burning sensations, skin eruptions, hypopigmentation, contact eczema and urticaria; skin atrophy, dilation of small blood vessels (telangiectasia), stretch marks, skin fragility, delayed wound healing in case of prolonged treatment.
Apply with precaution to the eyelids and around the eyes (risk of glaucoma and cataract), the face (risk of rosacea and thinning of the skin), and the skin folds (increased adverse effects).
Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
Breast-feeding: no contra-indication. Do not apply to the breasts.

Source

MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)

This page combines source-derived medicine reference sections with Kenza editorial context, while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections from the source batch.

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