Hydrocortisone cream (Daktacort) in pregnancy

[goldenpineapple]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using the above in pregnancy? I'm currently 11+2 and have had a rash on my chest, stomach, sides and tops of legs for about 4 weeks now. I've seen the doctor about it twice, on the second visit being prescribed Daktacort. With it being a hydrocortisone I don't really want to use it unless I have to - and the rash is causing no problems - its not itchy or painful in anyway - it just looks fairly alarming! The doctor thinks its either a fungal infection or some kind of excema, although it doesn't 'behave' like either. Its round-ish red patches - one of them has a pale bit in the middle so looks like possible ring worm, but the rest don't. It has spread several times over the last few weeks. Currently just using an emollient on it as there are one or two dry bits.

Sorry I am rambling on a bit - I just wondered if anyone had experienced a similar rash, or if anyone had used a steroid cream and had no problems. I'm inclined just to leave it as its not itchy or anything, but I would also really like to get rid of it - DH is more worried about it than I am.

[nehagarg]

I have Eczema and was prescribed daktacort but have avoided it since I got pregnant and used a concoction made of 1 part coconut oil, 2 parts shea butter, 1 part almond oil instead ... The rashes are in control and almost gone.

I'd avoid it. It does seep directly into your bloodstream

[Feilin]

I suffer from systemic psoriasis and have had daktacort prescribed by skin clinic in pregnancy as can no longer use cyclosporine immunosuppressant . Just use it for the prescribed amount of days and you should be fine.

[sizethree]

I've had eczema all my life and it fared up badly in pregnancy. I too was concerned about using a steroid cream and used it as minimally as possible. But I found the thing that really worked was a warm bath with an oatmeal teabag thing I made from porridge oats and sections of tights tied at both ends (cheapo 15 denier packs from Primark are great.you can make 6 pouches from each pair!)
If you really do need to use the cream, remember that it's a substantially lower dose than the steroid inhalers asthmatics have to use in pregnancy.

[goldenpineapple]

Thank you all for replying. I think I will give both the coconut oil/shea butter/almond oil remedy and the oats in tights a go (I love this idea, reckon DH will think I've lost the plot though!)

[Rach270]

You could ask for the cream with the antifungal miconazole without the hydrocortisone if the hydrocortisone is the part you are wanting to avoid. I think it is called Daktarin cream.

[goldenpineapple]

Thanks Rach - I had that cream first and it did nothing at all though sadly. Using Aveena at the moment and I think its possibly starting to fade some of the older patches of rash.

[WellErrr]

You need to be tested for ringworm - they don't all come up in typical circular patches.

[JulieBolton79]

I had this for dermatitis and doc said its not suitable for use in pg. I believe 1% hydrocortisone cream is a safer option if used sparingly.