Hydrocortisone 1 % w/w
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about DermAid 1% cream.
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What is DermAid 1% cream
The name of your medicine is DermAid 1% cream. It is a soft, glossy cream.
DermAid 1% cream contains hydrocortisone at 1% w/w as the active ingredient. DermAid also contains water, cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, self-emulsifying glyceryl monostearate, macrogol 400, propylene glycol and benzyl alcohol (as preservative).
DermAid 1% cream is available in 15 g and 30 g tubes. It is packed in tubes with a tamper evident seal for your protection. Do not use if the seal on the tube is broken.
What DermAid 1% cream is used for
DermAid 1% cream is used on the skin for temporary relief of redness, swelling, itching and discomfort of many skin problems such as:
dermatitis
eczema
psoriasis
rashes due to cosmetics and jewellery
itching genital and anal areas
sunburn
other types of dermatitis
Your doctor or pharmacist, however, may have recommended DermAid 1% cream for another purpose.
How it works
The active ingredient in DermAid 1% cream, hydrocortisone, reduces inflammation and itching. It is used for the relief of symptoms associated with conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
Before using DermAid 1% cream
Contraindications (when you must not use this product)
Do not use DermAid 1% cream if you have ever had an allergic reaction to:
hydrocortisone
any other corticosteroid
Do not use DermAid 1% cream in the eyes.
Do not use DermAid 1% cream if you have:
a viral skin infection (such as cold sores, shingles or chicken pox)
a fungal skin infection (such as thrush, tinea or ringworm)
a bacterial skin infection (such as impetigo or boils)
unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
Precautions
DermAid 1% cream reduces inflammation and itching. As a result, signs of infection may be masked. The area being treated should be kept clean at all times. If there is a possibility of infection in the area being treated then the infection should be controlled first.
Do not use under occlusion (plastic film) unless specified by your doctor.
Be careful not to get DermAid 1% cream in your eyes. If this happens rinse your eyes with clean water. If irritation persists tell your doctor or pharmacist.
If irritation or sensitivity occurs discontinue use.
Interactions
Although there are no generally recognised drug interactions attributed to hydrocortisone you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other creams, ointments or lotions or taking any medicine.
Pregnancy and lactation
You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your doctor will tell you if you can use DermAid 1% cream during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding. DermAid 1% cream should not be applied to breasts before breast-feeding.
Use in Children
Do not use DermAid 1% cream on children under 2 years of age unless your doctor tells you.
How to use DermAid 1% cream
Directions
DermAid 1% cream is for external use only.
Apply a thin layer of DermAid 1% cream to your skin 1 to 2 times a day as required.
Your doctor or pharmacist may have recommended a different dosage. It is important to use DermAid 1% cream exactly as directed. If you use it less often than you should, it may not work as well and your skin problem may not improve. Using it more often than you should may not improve your skin problem any faster and may cause or increase side effects.
Cleanse with a soap alternative such as 'Pinetarsol Solution' or 'Pinetarsol Gel' as soap may irritate the skin.
If you have dry skin you may find an emollient such as "QV Cream" provides further relief between applications of DermAid 1% cream. Apply "QV Cream" as often as required.
How long to use it
If your condition persists for more than 7 days then discontinue use and see your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use DermAid 1% cream, use it as soon as you remember and then go back to your normal times for applying DermAid 1% cream. Do not try to make up for the amount you missed by using more than you would normally use.
Side effects
DermAid 1% cream helps most people with skin problems but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. After the application of DermAid 1% cream a slight stinging sensation may occasionally be noticed. This transient symptom is most likely to disappear after several applications.
Side effects that have been reported by some people using cortisones include:
burning
itching
dryness
redness
allergy
thinning of the skin
If you have these or any other side effects, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
In case of overdose
If you have accidentally applied too much DermAid 1% cream, then wipe off any excess. Use DermAid 1% cream exactly as directed. If you use it more often than directed your skin problem may not improve any faster and you may cause or increase side effects. If you experience any side effects contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Storage
Keep DermAid 1% cream where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep DermAid 1% cream in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Do not refrigerate. Do not leave DermAid 1% cream in the car or on windowsills. Heat can reduce the efficacy of some medicines.
Shelf life
Do not use DermAid 1% cream after the expiry date printed on the pack. If you use it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
For further information
This is not all the information that is available on DermAid 1% cream.
If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
