What are the Most Common Uses for Hydrocortisone Acetate?

Hydrocortisone acetate is a medicine generally prescribed to give relief to symptoms of swelling and pain in various body parts. Its most common uses are for the treatment of skin disorders, rectal problems, and immune system disorders. It is sold in various forms or formulations.

Hydrocortisone acetate cream is commonly used for skin diseases like dermatitis and eczema. In suppository form, this medicine is frequently given to patients with problems in the rectum, such as hemorrhoids. Those with arthritis and psoriasis may be given this drug through injection.

In the treatment of skin diseases, hydrocortisone acetate cream also brings about relief from itching and redness. Dermatitis and eczema are skin conditions where there is inflammation, dryness and itchiness in the skin often brought about by contact with irritants. Patients are advised to follow doctor's instructions when using such medication. They should also inform their doctors when adverse skin reactions, such thinning of the skin, acne formation, and burning sensations occur.

Swelling of the veins in the anus or rectum is known as hemorrhoids or piles. These conditions are often painful and very uncomfortable for patients. Doctors may prescribe hydrocortisone acetate suppositories to reduce these symptoms. Suppositories are medicines with a waxy texture and shaped like a bullet that are usually inserted in the anus. Once inside the anus, they melt due to the warm temperature of the body. There is sometimes a need to place them in the refrigerator when they become soft and difficult to use.

Psoriasis, often associated with stress and other environmental factors as well as immune system disorders, usually causes dry and scaly skin that is often very itchy. Arthritis is another immune system disorder that causes the body to produce cells that attack the lining of joints. In both of these conditions, a hydrocortisone acetate injection is frequently administered directly to the affected area, such as the knee joint. The dose of injection usually depends on a patient's condition and his response to treatment.

Common side effects of hydrocortisone acetate injection include abdominal discomfort and nausea. Other symptoms are sleep problems, headache, fever, and mood changes. The injection site may also become swollen and painful, and the joint may experience limitation of movement. Rare, yet serious, side effects include unusual bruising, seizures, pain in the eye, and excessive growth of hair. When these symptoms occur, patients are advised to tell their doctors immediately.