Walgreens Maximum Strength Cream 1% hydrocortisone Review

Overall 4.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

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bkovacs
Annandale, VA

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Works great but use it sparingly

generally healthy, not the itchy type, practical

Pros

no odor, not greasy, works quickly

Cons

can be overused

APR

2008

Las Vegas... what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. I was in Las Vegas and had itchy patches of eczema on my arms that I definitely wanted to stay in Vegas. In fact, the eczema was flaring up and I was too busy working to want to have to deal with this particular distraction. There was a Walgreens store near the hotel, so I checked out the anti-itch creams that claimed to handle eczema and found they all contained hydrocortisone as the active ingredient. I bought Walgreens Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Cream for about $4.50.

As I said, the active ingredient is hydrocortisone, which is a cortical steroid. Not to be confused with anabolic steroids such as testosterone, cortical steroids strongly promote healing... at a price. Although eczema and itchy patches can heal quickly when using a hydrocortisone cream, using it too much can suppress your immune system. This happened to me earlier this year, when I used a prescription cortical steroid on the same eczema patches. The cream made them go away but I used a little of cream every day for a couple of weeks and eventually discovered I had a urinary tract infection (UTI), a classic sign of overuse of a cortical steroid. Treatment with antibiotics cured the UTI but it's not smart to cure one condition to the point you get another. I got the message and cut out the cortical steroids.

Therefore, I was leery about using too much of Walgreens Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Cream. The directions say that it can be applied three or four times a day. The label further says to see a doctor if the condition persists for more than seven days. I used it only twice a day and only for three days. The eczema was really starting to flare up and Walgreens Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Cream quickly tamed it. I used the absolute smallest amount I could, just enough to cover the eczema sore. That was all that was needed.

As soon as the eczema was tamed, I stopped using Walgreens Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Cream. Steroids are wonderful things when used right but like most good things, just a little is best. I recommend Walgreens Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Cream but be careful to use only the amount necessary and for the shortest possible time.

Incidentally, the label also says Walgreens Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Cream can be used on insect bites, psoriasis and poison ivy, among other itchy little surprises.

Walgreens Maximum Strength 1% Hydrocortisone Cream works well on eczema. Use it as described on the label and you should be fine. Overuse of this or any hydrocortisone product can cause other health problems, so follow the label and see a doctor if you need more help.

Walgreens Maximum Strength Cream 1% hydrocortisone is recommended by bkovacs

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Comments about bkovacs’s Review

bkovacs wrote on Jun 19, 2008 at 7:06AM

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In response to dovey's comment from Jun 18, 2008 at 8:10AM:

Thanks for the tip! I will have to look for A&D Ointment, 'cause I think it will be needed at some point. --Bob

dovey wrote on Jun 18, 2008 at 8:10AM

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In response to bkovacs's comment from Jun 15, 2008 at 8:25PM:

Bob, if you ever get a spot that really bothers you, you can try A&D ointment. I occassionally get very dry patches that regular creams can't handle. I tried my daughter's A&D and it worked great with no stinging.

bkovacs wrote on Jun 15, 2008 at 8:25PM

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In response to dovey's comment from Jun 14, 2008 at 4:14PM:

My eczema seems to be seasonal... I get it at the end of winter/early spring, and it bothers me for a month or two. Then it's gone for the rest of the year. I have been using a lot of different hand creams and body lotions, whatever we have in the house. At the moment, I've been mostly using an inexpensive hand cream from Suave, and it is keeping my skin moist and soft. It seems to be keeping the eczema at bay. Thanks for stopping by! --Bob

dovey wrote on Jun 14, 2008 at 4:14PM

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Thank you for the informative review. What do you use on a daily basis to keep your skin healthy and free of flareups?

joyjoy wrote on May 1, 2008 at 1:08PM

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In response to bkovacs's comment from May 1, 2008 at 7:37AM:

I wrote a review of Coda's Haven, an animal rescue that sells soap made from the milk of the resident goats. There is no extra shipping charge. The address is www.codashaven.com.

bkovacs wrote on May 1, 2008 at 7:37AM

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In response to joyjoy's comment from Apr 30, 2008 at 1:25PM:

Where do you get goat's milk soap? Can I find it at CVS or Wal-Mart? I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip! --Bob

kid-kansas wrote on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:57PM

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In response to bkovacs's comment from Apr 30, 2008 at 8:50AM:

You're welcome Bob, anytime. ;)

joyjoy wrote on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:25PM

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Try using goat's milk soap for your eczema. It might lessen the flare-ups so you won't need as much of the hydrocortisone.

bkovacs wrote on Apr 30, 2008 at 8:50AM

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In response to kid-kansas's comment from Apr 29, 2008 at 10:35PM:

Yeah, it's good stuff to have around but best used in moderation. Thanks for the recent comments! --Bob

kid-kansas wrote on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:35PM

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Good point! This is one medicine you don't want to use until it's gone! I sometimes get a bad rash from bleach when I maintain our pool and this stuff clears it right up. ;)

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Walgreens Maximum Strength Cream 1% hydrocortisone Review

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