Eczema and 1% hydrocortisone

[homedaddy2020]

My 11-month old is suffering from Eczema.
Doctor prescribed 1% hydrocortisone to be applied on bad affected areas.

I've heard mixed review on using corticosteroids, that it only fixes the problem temporarily and it will come back soon after healing.

Any parents here can share some experience?

I think let's not be to harsh on the op. There's a lot of scaremongering stories on the Internet about steroid usage. Most of it is nonsense, but I do understand the fear. As others have said, topical steroids when used properly and as per your docs instructions are incredibly safe. The lower strength ones even more so.

But yes, the important thing is to bring it under control, then look at maintenance solutions. But the initial flair will be best controlled with the steroid cream.

Hydrocortisone is the weakest steroid cream (does come in a 0.5% dose but all the dermatologists I’ve ever spoken to don’t recommend that dose. 1% is better). It is very safe OP. Yes skin can reflare after discontinuation so you need to moisturise loads but you need to get it under control first. They also suggest using the steroid when the skin initially starts to flare. Not waiting until it is really bad.

Please don’t apply the steroid on top of the emollient. It is steroid first otherwise it just won’t soak in.

For my little boy we used a course of hydrocortisone, aproderm (an oat based emollient from the doctor which has no paraffin in) and then oilatum jr in the bath. His skin was better within 4 days and now we just moisturise 3 times a day.

We’ve been using hydrocortisone cream on my son this week due to an eczema flare up, been using it for 3 days now twice a day and only seen mild improvement so far, does anyone have any experience of how long it will take to clear? Also obviously using emollient creams 3-4 time’s daily.

layering creams can be helpful.
a light emoillent/moisturiser followed by a barrier type cream.

unfortnately it's trial and error until you find out what works best for your dc.

• moisturising regime
• allergies (mould, perfume, certain foods, topical allergens)
• other trigger (scratchy clothes)