Hydrocortisone / urea topical Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 6, 2023.

Applies to hydrocortisone/urea topical: topical cream.

Warning

Use this medication exactly as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with hydrocortisone and urea topical can increase the amount of the drug your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes, or on body areas where you have skin folds or thin skin.

Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive to the effects of hydrocortisone and urea topical.

Hydrocortisone and urea topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.

Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this medication for several days.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking hydrocortisone / urea topical: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights;
uneven heartbeats;
sleep problems (insomnia);
weight gain, puffiness in your face; or
feeling tired.

Less serious side effects of hydrocortisone / urea topical may include:

skin redness, burning, itching, or peeling;
thinning of your skin;
blistering skin; or
stretch marks.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to hydrocortisone / urea topical: topical cream.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects of topical corticosteroids are rare. Glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia may be induced by corticosteroids. These drugs can rarely suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This suppression is more likely when higher potency topical steroids are used over extensive areas and when occlusive dressings are used.^[Ref]

Local

Local side effects associated with topical hydrocortisone have included burning, itching, or irritation, especially if applied to denuded skin or with occlusive dressings. Long-term use of topical corticosteroids may result in skin atrophy and thinning, and the development of striae, telangiectasia, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and easy bruising and bleeding. Allergic contact dermatitis is occasionally reported.^[Ref]