Mylocort Cream: Uses, How to Use it, Side Effects, Warnings
Mylocort Cream is a South African brand of hydrocortisone 1% (the lowest cortisone cream formulation available), it is used in the treatment of the following conditions:
• Eczema: a condition that causes inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough skin.
• Psoriasis: a skin disease that causes red, itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp.
• Contact dermatitis: a condition that makes skin red or inflamed after contact with an allergen or an irritant e.g., a watch strap.
• Insect bites
• Diaper rash
• Neurodermatitis: It is a skin condition characterized by severe itching or scaling. It typically appears on the neck, wrists, forearms, legs, or anal region.
Mylocort Cream may also be prescribed by the doctor to relieve itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort caused by various skin conditions or for swelling and discomfort caused by hemorrhoids and other rectal problems.
Before you use this medicine
When you must not use it
Do not use Mylocort Cream if you have an allergy to:
• any medicine containing hydrocortisone.
• any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
• any other similar medicines.
Do not use Mylocort Cream on:
• Untreated bacterial infections
• Parasitic skin infections (such as scabies)
• Viral skin infection (such as herpes simplex, cold sores, shingles or chicken pox)
• Tuberculous conditions of the skin
• Vaccinia (cowpox: a viral disease passed from cattle)
• Varicella (a rare form of chicken pox)
• Acne or rosacea
• Cuts or open wounds.
Do not use Mylocort Cream on psoriasis unless recommended by your doctor.
Mylocort Cream should not be used if you suffer from poor circulation of blood in the skin region, as it may result in skin ulcers.
Do not use occlusive dressings or waterproof bandages unless a doctor has told you to.
Ask your doctor (or pharmacist) to be sure that you do not have any of these conditions.
How should I use Mylocort Cream?
Use Mylocort Cream exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take it by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Wash your hands before and after using Mylocort Cream, unless you are using this medicine to treat the skin on your hands.
Apply a thin layer of the medicine to the affected skin and rub it in gently. Do not apply this medicine over a large area of skin unless your doctor has told you to.
Do not cover the treated skin area with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor tells you to. Covering treated areas can increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin and may cause harmful effects.
If you are treating the diaper area, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers.
Stop using Mylocort Cream and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse within 7 days.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Can I use Mylocort cream on a 5-month-old baby?
Mylocort Cream is can be sparingly used twice daily on the face of the 5-month-old baby for a few days to clear eczema. It is safer to dilute Mylocort cream with an equal amount of Epimax if used longer than 5 days.
How long can I use Mylocort cream?
Do not use Mylocort cream for more than 7 days except on the advice of a doctor. If your condition persists, see your pharmacist or doctor. Reduce the number of applications as the disorder subsides. If you use Mylocort cream for a long time, the chance of side effects increases.
What side effects can Mylocort cream cause?
Mylocort cream may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
• burning, itching, irritation, redness, or dryness of the skin
• acne
• unwanted hair growth
• skin color changes
• tiny red bumps or rash around the mouth
• small white or red bumps on the skin
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
• severe rash
• redness, swelling, or other signs of skin infection in the place where you applied hydrocortisone
Children who use Mylocort cream may have an increased risk of side effects including slowed growth and delayed weight gain. Talk to your child’s doctor about the risks of applying this medication to your child’s skin.
Mylocort cream may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
