Hydrocortisone: HSA Eligibility

What is hydrocortisone?

Hydrocortisone is a prescription medication that’s used to treat various skin conditions such as eczema, insect bites, dermatitis, psoriasis, rash or itching. It comes in multiple forms such as topical ointment, spray, liquid solution, cream or even in pill form (WebMD).

What does hydrocortisone do?

Hydrocortisone contains medicine called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids mimic the effects of hormones your body produces naturally in your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys (Mayo Clinic). 

Corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the skin. Hydrocortisone stops skin cells from releasing the agents which cause inflammation in the skin, which in turn helps to reduce redness, inflammation and itch (NetDoctor). Hydrocortisone in the topical forms is extremely mild, although dosages do vary from product to product. 

In some instances, hydrocortisone may be prescribed as an oral tablet. This contains a much stronger dose of hydrocortisone than topical applications. The oral tablet is used to treat other conditions like adrenocortical deficiency, swelling and inflammation. It is also used to slow down the immune system. The oral tablet works by blocking certain proteins in your body which helps decrease swelling on a larger scale (Healthline).