Cortisone is usually a very effective treatment for eczema, though results can vary from person to person. It’s often one of the first things medical professionals recommend for eczema sufferers if regular creams and lotions don’t work. Cortisone is a hormone that contains steroids to relieve itching as well as oils that can keep the skin lubricated. Over-the-counter creams that contain the hormone are available in most pharmacies and drug stores around the world, and doctors sometimes also prescribe higher concentrations on a person-by-person basis. In extreme cases injections can be administered with generally good results. It’s important to note, though, that while cortisone for eczema can provide quick and reliable relief, it won’t usually cure the underlying condition. In most cases, stopping a cortisone regimen will trigger a resurgence of the irritation.
Eczema Basics
Eczema is an inflammation of the top layer of the skin that is usually caused by an overactive immune system. It presents as dry, red, itchy rash, and can be triggered by any number of things. Sometimes a person’s diet is to blame, and things like air dryness or humidity, dust levels, and sensitivities to things like detergents or perfumes are also common causes. Unlike most standard dry skin, though, eczema doesn’t usually respond to lotion and regular topical moisturizers. Some companies make special “eczema creams” that are thick and full of oily emollients, and sometimes these work. When they don’t, doctors often recommend cortisone.
Understanding Cortisone
Cortisone is a hormone that people secrete naturally, usually in response to stress, and its main role is to calm inflammation. Many scientists and researchers think that this feature was important evolutionarily to prepare humans for what’s known as the “fight or flight” response to life-threatening situations, but in higher concentrations it also has a number of important medical uses. The hormone is most commonly synthesized in labs and used in lotions and other topical creams, though it can sometimes also be prepared in liquid form for injection, too.
Why It’s Generally Effective for Eczema
The steroid hormone usually works to calm eczema for two reasons: it can help the body stop attacking itself by suppressing the immune response; and it can relieve surface-level itches and discomfort by reducing inflammation on-site. Both of these effects are temporary, though. The cream often works well, but it is not generally viewed as a cure.
Most people who suffer from chronic eczema are best served by trying to find the source of their condition, then treating or removing that trigger. Over time, cortisone sometimes stops being as effective as it once was, and people find themselves using stronger and stronger concentrations in order to see results. While there’s not usually anything particularly dangerous about this, it isn’t always very helpful, either. Learning a few tips to maximize the steroid’s efficacy, even in the short term, can help avoid overuse.
Tips For Improving Success
Cortisone is usually most effective when it applied to damp skin, rubbed in, and followed up with a good-quality cream. Using topical creams and lotions immediately after bathing is often the best course. In general cortisone cream, lotion or ointment should be applied in small amounts, and worked into the skin gradually. Following application with a good-quality body cream or lotion can help keep the area as moist as possible.
Cortisone sprays are useful for the scalp and can keep the scalp moist while preventing the hair from becoming greasy. People who need injections often get them on a routine schedule, aiming for about the same time every week or month in order to allow the medication to distribute itself evenly throughout the body. Injections are often the best course for people who have the skin irritation covering most of their bodies — situations in which regularly applying creams and rubs could be very burdensome, in other words.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects that have been reported when using cortisone for eczema include spider veins, thin skin, glaucoma, and cataracts. These side effects are typically associated with large quantities of the stronger prescription doses.
When used sparingly, cortisone is an appropriate choice in the treatment of eczema for most people and should cause little or no side effects. Generally, stronger cortisone creams are intended to be used only for a short time, whereas patients more commonly use the lower-strength varieties for everyday use.