Steroid creams can be helpful for some skin problems and can even temporarily reduce ringworm symptoms like itching and redness, but they don't kill the fungus that causes ringworm. Steroid creams also can make ringworm worse because they weaken the skin's defenses.
Common side effects of corticosteroids can include stretch marks as well as thinning, thickening or darkening of the skin. Less often, these steroids can cause acne or infected hair follicles or more serious side effects in the eyes like glaucoma and cataracts.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Topical steroids work by: Reducing redness and swelling (inflammation) in the part of the body they are applied to. Suppressing the body's immune system.
Repeated use of topical steroids in areas where skin touches skin, such as the groin and armpits, can result in stretch marks (striae). Stretch marks from topical steroid use are permanent and irreversible. They can be very itchy and may require a lower strength steroid to treat the underlying itch.
Many of these topical preparations require no prescription. Cortisone-containing creams (steroids), even strong ones requiring a prescription, are not very helpful in controlling the itch of hives. Applying cool compresses may help soothe the itch of an urticarial rash.
Cortisone can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include: skin rash. itching or hives.
Try these:
- Hydrocortisone cream.
- Ointments like calamine lotion.
- Antihistamines.
- Cold compresses.
- Oatmeal baths.
- Talk to your doctor about what's best for your specific rash. For example, corticosteroids are good for poison ivy, oak, and sumac. They can prescribe stronger medicines if needed, too.
If you have red, bumpy, scaly, itchy or swollen skin, you may have a skin allergy. Urticaria (hives) are red, itchy, raised areas of the skin that can range in size and appear anywhere on your body. Angioedema is a swelling of the deeper layers of the skin that often occurs with hives.
You can do some things to make it more comfortable in the meantime.
- Avoid contact. It might sound obvious, but it's worth a reminder.
- Chill out. A cool compress or shower can help calm a fiery rash.
- Soak it.
- Add anti-itch cream.
- Go baggy.
- For severe symptoms, try a damp dressing.
Symptoms usually start as soon as a few minutes after eating a food and as long as two hours after. In some cases, after the first symptoms go away, a second wave of symptoms comes back one to four hours later (or sometimes even longer). This second wave is called a biphasic reaction.
To help soothe itchy skin, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
- Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin that itches.
- Take an oatmeal bath.
- Moisturize your skin.
- Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine.
- Apply cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine.
Allergists recognize four types of allergic reactions: Type I or anaphylactic reactions, type II or cytotoxic reactions, type III or immunocomplex reactions and type IV or cell-mediated reactions.
Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. Cover the area with a bandage. If there's swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. Take an antihistamine to reduce itching, swelling, and hives.
Over-the-counter corticosteroid creams can help with itching and inflammation. Your doctor may recommend prescription-strength ointments or creams if your symptoms are severe. They may also prescribe corticosteroid pills if needed.
With long-term use of topical steroid the skin may develop permanent stretch marks (striae), bruising, discolouration, or thin spidery blood vessels (telangiectasias). Topical steroids may trigger or worsen other skin disorders such as acne, rosacea and perioral dermatitis. Skin colour may change.
It is not possible to reverse thinning of the skin. However, moisturizing the skin can make it more flexible and less likely to break. Anything that makes the skin red or sore is likely to be damaging it. A person with thin skin might need to protect it from damage.
Applying the cream or ointment thinly and evenly to the affected areas on the skin is important. This minimizes the amount absorbed through the skin into the body. But, generally, topical steroids should not be applied more than twice a day, and once daily may be enough in certain situations.
Doctors recommend waiting about 15 minutes between applying a topical corticosteroid and applying the moisturizing product. This allows the steroid to be absorbed properly.
But steroids have some negative side effects, including weight gain. According to one study, weight gain was the most commonly reported adverse effect of steroid use, affecting 70 percent of those prescribed the drugs.
Systemic corticosteroids have long been associated with adverse psychiatric effects. Symptoms such as euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, severe depression, and psychosis have been estimated to develop in 5%–18% of patients treated with corticosteroids (1).
Topical corticosteroids or “steroids,” work by reducing inflammation in the skin. They also make blood vessels near the surface of the skin tighter, which helps decrease redness. Topical steroids come in varying strengths and formulations.
Steroid-induced skin atrophy is often permanent, though if caught soon enough and the topical corticosteroid discontinued in time, the degree of damage may be arrested or slightly improve. However, while the accompanying telangiectasias may improve marginally, the stretch marks are permanent and irreversible.
These topical steroids are considered to have the highest potency:
- Clobetasol propionate 0.05% (Temovate)
- Halobetasol propionate 0.05% (Ultravate cream, ointment, lotion)
- Diflorasone diacetate 0.05% (Psorcon ointment)
- Betamethasone dipropionate 0.25% (Diprolene ointment, gel)
Topical corticosteroids withdrawal (sometimes called “topical steroid addiction” or “Red Skin Syndrome”) appears to be a clinical adverse effect that can occur when topical corticosteroids are inappropriately used or overused, then stopped.
After several weeks of applying a topical steroid to the mid-forehead, eyelids, cheeks or chin, the affected area becomes red. Small bumps (papules) and pustules appear. These may be scaly. The reddened areas feel burning hot and itchy.
Red Skin Syndrome is a painful skin reaction that results most often from discontinuation of steroid creams after long term use. It causes red, itching, burning skin.
To help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin, try these self-care measures:
- Moisturize your skin at least twice a day.
- Apply an anti-itch cream to the affected area.
- Take an oral allergy or anti-itch medication.
- Don't scratch.
- Apply bandages.
- Take a warm bath.
- Choose mild soaps without dyes or perfumes.
Ultra-high-potency topical steroids should not be used continuously for longer than three weeks. Low- to high-potency topical steroids should not be used continuously for longer than three months to avoid side effects.
Hydrocortisone cream and ointmentMost people need to use hydrocortisone cream or ointment once or twice a day. If you use it twice a day, try to leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours before putting on any more.
Thin skin is skin that tears, bruises, or breaks easily. Thin skin is sometimes called thinning skin, or fragile skin. When thin skin develops an appearance like tissue paper, it's called crepey skin. Thin skin is a common condition in older adults and is most noticeable in the face, arms, and hands.
Steroid use cannot be stopped abruptly; tapering the drug gives the adrenal glands time to return to their normal patterns of secretion. Withdrawal symptoms and signs (weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain) can mimic many other medical problems.
OTC hydrocortisone is often the first thing doctors recommend to treat mild eczema. You may need different strengths of these steroids depending on where and how bad your rash is. For example, a doctor may prescribe a more potent one for thick, scaly skin.
