Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment

Treat Eczema With Anti-Inflammatory Hydrocortisone Ointment

Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment
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Alleviate eczema symptoms with this anti-inflammatory ointment.

What is Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment?

Hydrocortisone ointment is a topical treatment used to reduce the symptoms of skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and heat rash.

What is Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment used for?

Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis usually present with inflammatory symptoms, including redness, swelling, itching and dryness. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory treatment, which means it reduces these symptoms when applied to the area affected on the skin.

How does Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment work?

Inflammatory symptoms emerge when your body attempts to fight off illnesses. When you get a fever, for example, that’s the immune system’s attempt to make your body too hot for harmful viruses and bacteria to survive.

Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema aren’t infections. But increasing amounts of evidence in recent years indicate they cause the immune system to think skin tissue is foreign and harmful to the body, and attacks it as a result. Conditions that cause the immune system to behave in this way are known as autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune conditions affecting the skin usually present with symptoms such as rashes, redness, swelling and dryness.

Like other steroid medications, Hydrocortisone works by reducing the immune response in the affected area, thereby alleviating the symptoms.

Hydrocortisone works in a similar way to other steroidal medications - by dampening the immune response in the affected area.

Who can use Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment?

Hydrocortisone is usually very safe to use for both adults and children. You shouldn’t use it on children under 10 years old without the recommendation of a doctor, however.

You must also inform your doctor or pharmacist before using Hydrocortisone if you:

  • Have had an allergic reaction to Hydrocortisone or any other medicine in the past
  • Have a skin infection
  • Are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant or breastfeeding

Can Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment be used on my face?

Because Hydrocortisone dampens the body’s immune response to the area it is applied, it can make some skin conditions that primarily affect the face worse. These include:

  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Impetigo

In some cases, a doctor will recommend or prescribe Hydrocortisone for use on the face. You should not use it for your face without seeing a GP first. You should also not put the treatment on broken or infected skin, or around the genitals.

What are the side effects of Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment?

Most people tolerate Hydrocortisone well. It’s common to feel a stinging or burning sensation when you first use it. This usually subsides after a few days of use.

In rare cases, Hydrocortisone may make skin infections worse when applied to infected areas on the body. You must stop using the ointment and tell your doctor straight away if you get:

  • Signs of adrenal gland problems, including severe nausea or vomiting, dizziness, fainting, muscle weakness, fatigue, mood changes, loss of appetite or weight loss
  • Signs of high blood sugar, including confusion, sleepiness, intense thirst or hunger, frequent urination, flushed skin, rapid breathing or breath that smells like fruit

 Information Leaflet

Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.

Important: We advise you to always read the patient information leaflet inside the medication box, as the generic medication may not always entirely match the patient information leaflet listed. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Written and reviewed by our qualified team

GPhC Number: 2088658

Ana Carolina Goncalves
Authored by: Ana Carolina Goncalves Superintendent
Pharmacist

GPhC Number: 2225869

Rehma Gill
Reviewed by: Rehma Gill Pharmacy
Manager

Find out more about our team of medical content authors and how we ensure the accuracy of our content with our content guidelines.

Content last updated: 03 Mar 2025

Hydrocortisone Ointment Reviews

Overall Rating
9.8 / 10
Ratings Distribution
5 stars
522
4 stars
43
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
1 star
3

Based on 573 independent customer reviews taken by Feefo, Google and Trustpilot.

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Product Review:

Good for small patches of excema

Review from: Trustpilot

TickVerified Buyer

Product Review:

Very good product very happy with it

Service Review:

Very good product very happy with this cleared my skin within a few days

Review from: Feefo

TickVerified Buyer

Product Review:

Great product, great service

Service Review:

Great service

Review from: Feefo

TickVerified Buyer

Product Review:

Excellent service received goods on time quick and easy to deal with

Service Review:

Excellent

Review from: Feefo

TickVerified Buyer

"Excellent service"

Product Review:

Does what it says on the tin

Service Review:

Excellent service

Review from: Trustpilot

TickVerified Buyer

"Five star"

Product Review:

Speedy delivery great price what’s not to like

Service Review:

Cushty

Review from: Feefo

TickVerified Buyer

"Great service"

Product Review:

Really pleased, needed some hydrocortisone ointment quickly, , they tirned the order around quickly and the delivery was quick. Great service and really pleased

Service Review:

Sensible questions asked at the point or order, then quick delivery.

Review from: Feefo

TickVerified Buyer

"Pleased with item"

Product Review:

Very pleased with items and fast delivery

Service Review:

Fast delivery and well packed

Review from: Feefo

TickVerified Buyer

Product Review:

Great service very quick delivery would order again

Service Review:

Very quick delivery

Review from: Feefo

TickVerified Buyer

"So easy tp order & your item is correct…"

Product Review:

I have used this cream since birth so now 63 years and was finding it hard to purchase until I found this site

Service Review:

So easy tp order & your item is correct and on time I always use this site now

Review from: Trustpilot

TickVerified Buyer

Discreet service

Discreet Packaging

Your privacy is important to us. That’s why we’ve taken every step to ensure your order arrives in the most discreet way possible.

From start to finish, your purchase is handled with complete confidentiality. You’ll never see our brand name on your bank statement, bills or delivery papers.

All our parcels are sent in plain, unmarked packaging with no logos, no product descriptions and no indication of what’s inside.

Estimated delivery

Signed For 1st Class

£2.90 - Friday 25 April

Collect from your Post Office

£3.95 - Friday 25 April

Special Delivery 1pm Guaranteed

£5.95 - Friday 25 April by 1pm

Special Delivery 9am Guaranteed

£13.95 - Friday 25 April by 9am

Same Day Delivery

from £4.95 - Thursday 24 April

How does it work?

How it works - Consultation

Online consultation

Complete a short questionnaire to check your eligibility for treatment

Refer a friend step 1

Choose a treatment

Select the treatment or medication you need from leading brands

How it works - Delivery

Express delivery

Medication is dispensed and delivered to your home or work

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