Why Use Hydrocortisone Cream
With All Its Side Effects?

Did you know that use of topical hydrocortisone cream for such conditions as psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis can cause a number of harmful side effects?

As a practicing Herbalogist, I have heard of and seen the harmful results of using steroids on children and adults alike.

The fact is that most "over the counter" topical steroids can contain 1 percent of hydrocortisone while prescription hydrocortisone creams can contain much more.

Hydrocortisone, a steroid used to reduce inflammation, is sold extensively in over-the-counter skin ointments. Doctors can even prescribe larger doses some of which can be given by injection. My strong recommendation is that people should be on their strictest guard about over the counter as well as prescribed use of hydrocortisone.

Let me start by giving you a quick understanding of skin structure. You see, your skin is designed to protect you from countless insults: from air pollution to murky lake water, from dirty gasoline-pump handles to staph.

Skin cells provide a physical barrier, sort of like bricks and mortar, to keep the bad things out - most of the time. The cells aren't as tightly packed as real bricks, though, which means things can squeeze by and penetrate.

The bad news is that strong chemicals can penetrate sensitive or thin skin, cause an allergic reaction, and dangerously flood your bloodstream. Hydrocortisone significantly increased the chances of a number of viruses to infect human blood cells and has even been known to cause blood poisoning.

Then, when you apply hydrocortisone cream to sensitive spots such as the eyelids, armpits, and groin (all places where eczema, rashes, and allergic reactions are particularly common), skin is thinner and more folds exist, so skin hits skin often, which can cause medications to penetrate more deeply.

These areas are also prone to stretch marks, irritation, hypo-pigmentation (lightening), and "a crinkly, cigarette-paper" appearance.

Continued use of topical steroid creams containing hydrocortisone can cause the skin to develop a resistance (called tachyplaxis) to the medication.

As a result, in order to have the desired medical effect, a stronger and more potent steroid may be needed, which may cause even more potential side effects.

These side effects may include: thinning of the skin, easy bruising, permanent dilation of certain blood vessels, burn marks on skin, liver and kidney damage and a weakened immune system.

1) Wash with only with a "non-soap" cleanser that is pure and gentle. It should be hypo-allergenic and contain only herbal ingredients that are organically grown.

Vitamin-derived antioxidants from plant sourced ingredients not only make the best ingredients for your "inside", but for your "outside" as well. A pure and gentle cleanser is just right for all skin types, conditions and ages.

2) Apply a therapeutic cream that is formulated to be hypo-allergenic and filled with only the best and healthful ingredients!

One of the main ingredients should be urea. This is a powerful “humectant” and actually unpacks dry, damaged cells 7 layers deep and binds water below the surface of the epidermis, right down to the stratus corneum, which is the skin building layer, allowing your sensitive skin to repair from “the bottom up”.

You see, only natural and organic products are designed to truly repair problem skin (as well as greatly hydrate normal skin) and bring relief to psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis or any parched, itchy, red and cracked skin.

Healthful vitamins and herbal botanicals as well as the super emollient ingredient – shea butter - produce fast and highly effective results.

Click here for my strong recommendation of the most natural plant based cream that DOES NOT contain damaging hydrocortisone cream.

Coming from Germany, I believed in natural remedies. But over the years I got talked into using one hydrocortisone cream after another. Each stronger than the one before. Now after 30 years, I can barely touch something without my fingers splitting open. I tried your recommendation and my skin is much better. I know that after all those years it will take time to repair but I know I am in the right direction with your natural recommendations. G.G.,Barrington, IL