DermAid Cream

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NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Hydrocortisone 1 % w/w

CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about DermAid 1% cream.

It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.

What is DermAid 1% cream

The name of your medicine is DermAid 1% cream. It is a soft, glossy cream.

DermAid 1% cream contains hydrocortisone at 1% w/w as the active ingredient. DermAid also contains water, cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, self-emulsifying glyceryl monostearate, macrogol 400, propylene glycol and benzyl alcohol (as preservative).

DermAid 1% cream is available in 15 g and 30 g tubes. It is packed in tubes with a tamper evident seal for your protection. Do not use if the seal on the tube is broken.

What DermAid 1% cream is used for

DermAid 1% cream is used on the skin for temporary relief of redness, swelling, itching and discomfort of many skin problems such as:

dermatitis

eczema

psoriasis

rashes due to cosmetics and jewellery

itching genital and anal areas

sunburn

other types of dermatitis

Your doctor or pharmacist, however, may have recommended DermAid 1% cream for another purpose.

How it works

The active ingredient in DermAid 1% cream, hydrocortisone, reduces inflammation and itching. It is used for the relief of symptoms associated with conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

Before using DermAid 1% cream

Contraindications (when you must not use this product)

Do not use DermAid 1% cream if you have ever had an allergic reaction to:

hydrocortisone

any other corticosteroid

Do not use DermAid 1% cream in the eyes.

Do not use DermAid 1% cream if you have:

a viral skin infection (such as cold sores, shingles or chicken pox)

a fungal skin infection (such as thrush, tinea or ringworm)

a bacterial skin infection (such as impetigo or boils)

unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

Precautions

DermAid 1% cream reduces inflammation and itching. As a result, signs of infection may be masked. The area being treated should be kept clean at all times. If there is a possibility of infection in the area being treated then the infection should be controlled first.

Do not use under occlusion (plastic film) unless specified by your doctor.

Be careful not to get DermAid 1% cream in your eyes. If this happens rinse your eyes with clean water. If irritation persists tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If irritation or sensitivity occurs discontinue use.

Interactions

Although there are no generally recognised drug interactions attributed to hydrocortisone you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other creams, ointments or lotions or taking any medicine.

Pregnancy and lactation

You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your doctor will tell you if you can use DermAid 1% cream during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding. DermAid 1% cream should not be applied to breasts before breast-feeding.

Use in Children

Do not use DermAid 1% cream on children under 2 years of age unless your doctor tells you.

How to use DermAid 1% cream

Directions

DermAid 1% cream is for external use only.

Apply a thin layer of DermAid 1% cream to your skin 1 to 2 times a day as required.

Your doctor or pharmacist may have recommended a different dosage. It is important to use DermAid 1% cream exactly as directed. If you use it less often than you should, it may not work as well and your skin problem may not improve. Using it more often than you should may not improve your skin problem any faster and may cause or increase side effects.

Cleanse with a soap alternative such as 'Pinetarsol Solution' or 'Pinetarsol Gel' as soap may irritate the skin.

If you have dry skin you may find an emollient such as "QV Cream" provides further relief between applications of DermAid 1% cream. Apply "QV Cream" as often as required.

How long to use it

If your condition persists for more than 7 days then discontinue use and see your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to use it

If you forget to use DermAid 1% cream, use it as soon as you remember and then go back to your normal times for applying DermAid 1% cream. Do not try to make up for the amount you missed by using more than you would normally use.

Side effects

DermAid 1% cream helps most people with skin problems but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. After the application of DermAid 1% cream a slight stinging sensation may occasionally be noticed. This transient symptom is most likely to disappear after several applications.

Side effects that have been reported by some people using cortisones include:

burning

itching

dryness

redness

allergy

thinning of the skin

blurred vision or other vision disturbances

If you have these or any other side effects, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

In case of overdose

If you have accidentally applied too much DermAid 1% cream, then wipe off any excess. Use DermAid 1% cream exactly as directed. If you use it more often than directed your skin problem may not improve any faster and you may cause or increase side effects. If you experience any side effects contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If you swallow it

Telephone your Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 03 474 7000 in New Zealand) or contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Storage

Keep DermAid 1% cream where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Keep DermAid 1% cream in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Do not refrigerate. Do not leave DermAid 1% cream in the car or on windowsills. Heat can reduce the efficacy of some medicines.