Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment

What is Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment?

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment is a corticosteroid cream that contains a moderate corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are often referred to as steroids, this is not the same as illegal anabolic steroids.

When using Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment daily as directed in the Patient Information Leaflet you should begin to see improvements to the condition of your skin within 7 days and can be used for up to 4 weeks.

If you do not see any reduction in the redness, itchiness, inflammation and irritation to your skin within 7 days of using Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment please speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment uses

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment are easy to apply, and can be used to treat inflamed skin and skin rash arising from several conditions, including eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.

Corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory medicines. Skin becomes inflamed when the body releases inflammatory chemicals in response to an allergen or irritation. These chemicals make blood vessels widen, causing the skin to swell and become itchy and painful. Corticosteroids prevent this by inhibiting cells from releasing large amounts of these substances.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment can be used to treat the following conditions:

• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Insect bites
• Heat rash

Note: Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment should not be used on:

• Broken skin
• Open wounds
• Acne, spots or rosacea
• Bacterial infections (impetigo)
• Fungal infections (thrush)

If Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment is applied to excess for a long period of time, or to spots where the skin is thinner (such as the face, eyelids, lips and scalp), this can make the user more susceptible to side effects like skin thinning, stretch marks or hair growth. For the most part, these side effects are still quite rare. Creams like Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment wouldn't be recommended for conditions like alopecia. Consult the leaflet for full details.

How does Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointmentwork?

Creams that contain corticosteroids such as Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment work by mimicking the body's natural hormones produced by the adrenal glands. The steroids suppress inflammation by suppressing the cells reaction to irritation or allergens and reducing the amount of collagen that is in the skin.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream (100mg, 30mg) or Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Ointment (100mg, 30mg)

Both Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment are used to treat skin inflammation. The difference between the two products is that the ointment contains ingredients that make it a thicker, greasier formula than the cream.

It is therefore recommended that:

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment is used for areas of moist or weeping skin.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment is used for areas of dry, flakey or scaly skin.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment alternatives - is Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment a steroid cream?

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment contain a type of steroid used to reduce skin inflammation associated with conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. For more information about treatment options please see our Advice for Eczema and Dermatitis page.

If you have used Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment for 7 days and your skin condition has not improved or you suffer from skin conditions that cause moderate to severe inflammation and irritation you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist about treatment options.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment or hydrocortisone

Another corticosteroid cream used to treat skin inflammation is hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone cream is the mildest available steroid cream and is often recommended as the first-line treatment for inflammation caused by eczema or dermatitis.

Hydrocortisone 1% cream is available to buy online from The Independent Pharmacy in 15mg tubes and 50g tubes.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment contains active ingredients - a moderately potent anti-inflammatory steroid. The active ingredient works by preventing the release of inflammatory substances inside the skin cells, reducing dryness, redness, and itchiness. Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment also has moisturising properties to help keep skin smooth and flake-free.

However, it is a short-term solution, as using corticosteroids on the skin continuously for more than a few weeks can cause skin thinning and even permanent damage. It's advised to use Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment for no more than 7 days, at around the same time every day. In addition, we also advise people with eczema or dermatitis to use emollient skin products, such as Dermol Shower Emollient, to help improve the condition on a longer term basis.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment benefits

With the use of any medicine or topical cream, there are always risks and benefits involved. Luckily, Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment is generally very well tolerated, and side effects are rare. Patients are able to relieve the itching and redness associated with eczema in a relatively short amount of time. When the cream is prescribed, our pharmacists will consider the risks and weigh them against the benefits - if you are pregnant then this would be a factor, for example.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment can be applied in conjunction with other moisturisers, though it's best to wait around half an hour between applications to let the Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment sink in. Always use the minimum quantity prescribed, for the minimum duration advised by your doctor.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment and pregnancy

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment shouldn't be used while pregnant or breastfeeding to treat eczema, unless discussed and approved by your doctor. Even so, it shouldn’t be used on large areas of skin or for a long period. Some studies suggest that corticosteroids applied to the skin during pregnancy may cause birth defects.

Non-prescription eczema treatment alternatives

• Moisturisers and emollients
• Bath and shower gels
• Cotton gloves (to keep from scratching)
• Antihistamine tablets (to ease the itching)

Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/steroids/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/topical-steroids/
• https://www.bad.org.uk/
• Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Ointment, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3808/pil
• Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3807/pil

Apply a thin, even layer of Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment to the affected skin. You will be advised to do this either once or twice each day. Always follow your prescription exactly.

If you have been using airtight dressings on the inflamed skin, clean the affected area before using the ointment, and apply a new dressing. Remember to wash your hands after each application.

You may be using other topical medicines or moisturisers alongside Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment. If this is the case, you are advised to wait at least 30 minutes between applications. This will prevent either medicine from becoming diluted.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment side effects

As with all medication, Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment may cause some people to experience unwanted side effects. Most side effects are, however, very rare when using Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment.

• If you are using or have recently used Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment to treat psoriasis and notice pus-filled lumps appear under your skin, this is called pustular psoriasis and you should get advice from a doctor straight away.

Some reported side effects associated with Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment use may include:

• Localised allergic reaction to the skin where Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment has been applied- burning, irritation, itching, rash, redness.
• Increased hair growth
• Changes in skin colour or thinning of the skin and bones
• Weight gain causing rounding of the face
• Eye conditions - cataract or glaucoma
• High blood pressure

For a full list of side effects associated with Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly.

If you are worried about side effects or they do not get better once you stop using Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you experience a severe allergic reaction as a result of using Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment, seek immediate medical attention from your nearest Emergency Department.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment warnings

For a complete list of warnings and precautions associated with the use of Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment please read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment can cause the following conditions to worsen:

• Acne
• Infected skin
• Rosacea (a flushing of the skin around the nose)
• Skin which is itchy but not inflamed.

You should speak to your doctor or a pharmacist before using Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment if any of the following apply:

• You have a history of allergic reactions to steroid medicines
• You are applying Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment under an airtight dressing
• You are using Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment on the face, especially near the eyes
• You are applying Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment to broken skin or skin folds
• You are applying Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment to inflamed skin around the genitals or anus
• You have psoriasis
• You are using Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment on a chronic leg ulcer.

Do not use Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment for more than 4 weeks. If you do not see an improvement to the condition of your skin within 7 days of commencing treatment you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Eczema and Dermatitis Relief Cream & Ointment ointment contains liquid paraffin and soft white paraffin which is flammable. Avoid smoking and open fires when using the product and take extra care to wash bedding and clothing that has come into contact with the ointment.