hydrocortisone cream causing skin thinness

[Ijinxed]

Hello HN

I have been asked to go on hydrocortisone cream 1% to reduce my itchiness on my penis shaft . I An supposed to apply it for a week. This has reduced the itchiness.

On searching the net I am told that this cream will thin the skin. Does this mean that it will be risky for me to visit the SPs after I heal?

Your input will be highly appreciated.

 

[Health Nurse]

Hello HN

I have been asked to go on hydrocortisone cream 1% to reduce my itchiness on my penis shaft . I An supposed to apply it for a week. This has reduced the itchiness.

On searching the net I am told that this cream will thin the skin. Does this mean that it will be risky for me to visit the SPs after I heal?

Your input will be highly appreciated.

Hi Ijinxed

The layer of skin on the penis offers protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI). Many STI need to get past this first layer to infect your body, so anything that breaks down the skin can increase your chance’s of getting an STI. E.g. irritation from itching or certain products, over washing etc…

One of the possible side affects of hydrocortisone cream is that it can make the skin thinner.


I have spoken with a pharmacist and they have said that it is very unlikely that 1 week’s use of hydrocortisone cream would cause the skin to thin. They said that thinning of the skin is usually caused by using it for a long time and by applying too much cream. They suggested only using small amounts of cream.


I don’t know your full medical history but if your penis is fully healed I would not be concerned about additional risk from broken skin.

A condom would also help protect your skin. Certain creams can damage latex condoms so I would recommend not having the cream on while using a condom.

HN
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