Sometimes our skin gets all sorts of problems, right? Suddenly, a spot turns red and starts itching a lot. Sometimes it can look like eczema. Other times, it can look like a small wound and become infected. In such a case, when you go to see a doctor, he can examine your condition and prescribe a special cream. Today, we are going to talk about a cream that is commonly prescribed and is made by combining two types of medicines. That is a combination called Hydrocortisone and Iodoquinol.
Simply put, what happens with this cream?
This cream is said to contain two types of medicine. These two do two things. Let's see what they are.
1. Hydrocortisone: This is a mild steroid . Imagine that a spot on your skin is red, swollen, and itchy. That means there is inflammation . Hydrocortisone works by controlling that inflammation. That means it reduces the redness, swelling, and itching .
2. Iodoquinol: This is used to control infections that have occurred on your skin. Sometimes skin problems are caused by bacteria or fungi . Iodoquinol kills those microorganisms and stops the infection from spreading.
So, if a doctor thinks you have both an inflammatory skin condition like eczema and a fungal or bacterial infection, they'll prescribe a cream that contains both of these medications. It does both jobs at once.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you any medication. This will help him or her give you the most appropriate and safest treatment. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Things to be aware of | What you should tell your doctor |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Tell us if you have an allergic reaction to Hydrocortisone, Iodoquinol, iodine, any other medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives. |
| Other medical conditions | If you have thyroid disease, please mention it specifically. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, be sure to inform your doctor. |
How exactly do you use this cream?
This is a topical medication. Do not take it by mouth for any reason. For best results, it is very important to use it for the full duration of the treatment, as directed by your doctor.
- Step 1: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine.
- Step 2: Apply the cream in a very thin film only to the affected skin area. Do not apply too much, as this can cause more medication to be absorbed into the skin and cause side effects.
- Step 3: After applying the medicine, do not cover the area with a bandage or plaster. Keep the area open to air.
- Step 4: Be careful not to get this cream in your eyes . If you accidentally get it in your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes thoroughly with plenty of clean water.
- Step 5: Use this for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor. You may feel better in two or three days. But don't stop taking it just because it has. The infection may still be under the skin. If you stop taking it, the infection may come back.
If you give this to children...
Doctors sometimes prescribe this medicine to children over the age of 12. But they do so with great caution. Children's skin is more delicate than that of adults, so the medicine is absorbed more quickly. Therefore , never use creams like these that are prescribed for adults on young children without the advice of a doctor.
What are the expected side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause minor side effects in some people. But there's nothing to worry about. Most of these are not serious.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics and what to do |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Severe skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using the medicine and see a doctor immediately. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Minor skin problems | Slight redness, a slight burning or stinging sensation where the medicine was applied. These usually go away after a while. But if they persist or are bothersome, tell your doctor. |
A few other important points
What if I forget to take a dose?
Suppose you forget to take your dose in the morning. Take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, if your next dose is in two or three hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose on time. Never take two doses at once.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you accidentally apply more cream than you think, or if a small child puts it in their mouth, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Use with other medications
Do not apply any other cream, lotion, or ointment to the area of skin where this cream is applied without consulting your doctor.
How do you keep this medicine safe?
Do not keep this in a place where children can get hold of it. If you have small children at home, it is best to keep it high, like a medicine cabinet, out of their reach. Store it at normal room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- This cream is for external use only. Do not take it by mouth for any reason.
- Always use it exactly as your doctor advises, in the prescribed amount, for the prescribed period of time.
- Inform your doctor about any other illnesses or allergies you may have before prescribing medication.
- Even if the illness seems to be improving, continue to use the medicine for the full prescribed number of days.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms (swelling of the face, severe rash), stop taking the medicine and seek medical advice immediately.
- Always keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children.
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