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What Are The Repercussions Of Accidental Application Of Hydrocortisone Cream On Unaffected Area?

Posted on Mon, 16 May 2016

Question: Hi I have a 5 month old baby who suffers from eczema. At the moment he has a skin infection which consists of a rash in areas of his body the rash is like little pimples dotted here and there. His doctor prescribed a cream which was and antibiotic and also contained steroid. 1% hydrocortisone. I thought he was giving the cream for the rash as that was what I had gone in to complain about as his eczema was not bad at the time. Anyway the cream was to be applied twice a day so far I have applied it 5 times. However my concern is that I have now applied it to skin which was not inflamed and red and I'm wondering have I done damage I'm afraid I have caused skin thinnning. How will I know.

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Five time application of hydrocortisone never cause atrophy.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting your query.

I can understand your concern for the rash and related application of hydrocortisone cream.

After analyzing your complete query diligently, let me reassure you first that overall five time application never cause any atrophy of the skin in the little one.

To elaborately tell you regarding the condition :
There could be multiple causes of the rash in the infants. Most commonly it is related to simple contact allergy to clothes and environmental factors. It could also be related to atopy meaning a mild to moderate allergic tendency.

The hydrocortisone cream prescribed by the doctor is basically meant to reduce and prevent the further formation of rash. Hydrocortisone is one of the mildest of the steroid used mainly in the infants and kids. This could be used for multiple of days to weeks according to the severity of the condition.

In your case it is used only for five times which could never cause atrophy of the skin. The atrophy of skin occurs only if it is applied for multiple weeks to months of period without doctor's guidance.

In the atrophy of the skin one can see the thinning of the skin in form of paler and lighter skin with visible blood vessels underneath the skin.

So I reassure you that there would be no problem by this short application.

I suggest you to meet your treating doctor and get full clearance and guidance of the concern.

"My best wishes for good health of the little one"

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD - Dermatology

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (27 minutes later)

My concern though is that the hydrocortisone wasn't applied to red or inflamed skin. His skin on his abdomen looks normal only that it has little red dots in areas. Like acne or pimples on his skin.

Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hydrocortisone has no side effects on short application.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Welcome back and thanks for your swift follow up.

Hydrocortisone is one of the mildest of the steroids. It has no side effects on normal skin application if applied for shorter period of time. There would not be be any atrophy of the skin even if you applied on normal skin for five times.

So allay all your anxieties regarding any atrophy of the skin. In my own clinical experience I reassure you fully that I have never observed any atopy o skin by such kind of short five times application.

I hope this allays all your doubts regarding hydrocortisone cream application.

My good health wishes

Best regards,

Dr Sanjay Kanodia

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad