Which steroid cream is best for eczema?
For mild eczema, you’ll start with a low-strength steroid ointment, especially for areas at risk for thinning with steroid use like face and skin folds. Low-strength steroids include desonide 0.05% or hydrocortisone 2.5%. Both are available only by prescription but are cheap.
Do topical steroids work for eczema?
Topical steroids, used appropriately and under supervision, are a safe and effective treatment for eczema. The likelihood of side effects occurring is directly related to the potency of the preparation, where it is being used, the condition of the skin on which it is used and the age of the person concerned.

What is the best topical treatment for eczema?
The Best Treatments for Eczema, According to Dermatologists
- Vanicream Moisturizing Cream.
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
- CeraVe Healing Ointment.
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment.
- Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm.
- Cetaphil Baby Eczema Soothing Lotion with Colloidal Oatmeal.
What steroid is used for eczema?
Pimecrolimus has been approved for the treatment of mild to moderate eczema, and tacrolimus has been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe eczema. They can only be used in certain situations. For instance, they can be prescribed: if steroids haven’t led to a big enough improvement.
How long does it take for steroid cream to work on eczema?

Your skin should start to get better after using hydrocortisone for a few days. If you’re using a treatment you’ve bought from a pharmacy or shop, speak to your doctor if you still have symptoms after 1 week, or if your skin gets worse at any time.
Can steroids make eczema worse?
Most people with eczema use topical steroids to help manage their symptoms without experiencing adverse events. But for some, TSW can arise as a complication of topical steroid use, even leading to symptoms significantly worse than their original skin condition.
Why do steroids help eczema?
One of the most commonly prescribed medications for all types of eczema is topical corticosteroids, or steroids for short, which can reduce inflammation and itching so that the skin can begin to heal. Steroids are naturally occurring substances that our bodies make in order to regulate growth and immune function.
What can I use instead of topical steroids?
She often recommends sunflower oil and coconut oil, two popular plant-based alternatives that are backed by some scientific research. Sunflower seed oil acts as an anti-inflammatory to soothe itchy skin, and it also helps restore the skin’s natural barrier.
How quickly does steroid cream work?
The strength that your doctor prescribes will depend on the type and severity of your condition. Regardless of the strength, steroid creams “start working within 1 day,” says Corinna Bowser, MD.