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Hydrocortisone

Medication topical corticosteroid skinallergy
Aka: hydrocortisone 1% cream, Dermacort
Brands seen in Singapore: Hydroderm, YSP Hydrocort, Axcel Hydrocortisone, H-Cort, Egocort
Not medical advice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop or change the timing of anything you take.
How to use
What it’s for
Eczema, contact dermatitis, insect bites, psoriasis
When to take
NHS: once or twice a day · 7 days max unless told otherwise
Take with
A thin layer on the affected area · no dressing over it
Pros & cons
Pros
  • NHS: most creams and ointments are “mild” steroids
  • 1% creams are pharmacy-only in SG — no prescription
  • NHS: does not usually affect driving or machinery
Cons
  • Skin thinning, stretch marks, lighter or darker skin
  • NHS: not on face, penis or vulva without advice first
  • Skin can flare worse after stopping (NHS)
Sources
  1. NHS — Hydrocortisone for skin (common brands: Derma Care, HC45), A-Z medicines (reviewed 28 Aug 2025) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Hydrocortisone is a steroid medicine used to treat eczema, insect bites and other skin conditions … Most hydrocortisone creams and ointments are considered “mild” steroids … eczema psoriasis contact dermatitis reactions to insect bites and stings”
  2. NHS — How to use hydrocortisone cream, ointment or lotion (reviewed 28 Aug 2025) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “You'll usually need to use hydrocortisone cream, ointment or lotion once or twice a day … A fingertip unit is enough to treat an area twice the size of the palm of your hand … Do not use hydrocortisone on your skin for more than 7 days unless a pharmacist or doctor tells you to.”
  3. NHS — Side effects of hydrocortisone cream, ointment or lotion (reviewed 28 Aug 2025) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “thinning of the skin in the affected area stretch marks a rash that may be itchy your skin becoming lighter or darker than usual … It does not usually affect your ability to drive or use machinery … Your skin condition may get worse after you stop using the medicine.”
  4. NHS — Who can and cannot use hydrocortisone cream, ointment or lotion (reviewed 28 Aug 2025) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Children under 10 years should only use them if advised to by a doctor or pharmacist … acne or rosacea cold sores inflamed skin around your mouth (perioral dermatitis) … chickenpox or shingles … If you're pregnant, check with a pharmacist or doctor”
  5. HealthHub (MOH Singapore) — Hydrocortisone medication page (reviewed 15 May 2026); systemic form · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Hydrocortisone belongs to a group of medication called steroids. It is used in adrenal insufficiency … A steroid emergency card may be given to you if your body is dependent on corticosteroid medications”
  6. HSA Register of Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg d_767279312753558cbf19d48344577084) — hydrocortisone rows, forensic classification · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “SIN08804P · HYDRODERM CREAM 1% · TOPICAL · Pharmacy Only … SIN04792P · EGOCORT CREAM 1% · General Sale List … SIN17237P · ENCORT TABLET 10MG · ORAL · Prescription Only”
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Updated 2026-08-29. Every line above traces to a numbered source. Kozen-X is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. It lists what published sources have written down — nothing more. A pair not listed is unrecorded, not cleared. Before you start, stop or re-time anything, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.