Like all medicines, hydrocortisone treatments can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
If you use hydrocortisone for piles and itchy bottom for a short time, it's very unlikely to cause side effects.
You may get a slight increase in burning when you first apply the treatment, but this only lasts a few minutes. This usually stops happening after a few days.
If you use hydrocortisone for a long time, it can make the skin around your anus thinner. It's best not to use these treatments for more than 7 days and not to repeat these treatments too often.
Serious side effects
If you have an infection around your bottom, hydrocortisone treatments can make it worse. To prevent infections, wash the itchy or sore area and pat it dry with a soft, clean towel before applying the treatment.
Very rarely, hydrocortisone can get into your blood. This can cause side effects in other parts of your body.
Call your doctor or call 111 straight away if you get:
- more inflamed skin around your bottom – this can be a sign of a skin infection
- very upset stomach or vomiting, very bad dizziness or fainting, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, loss of appetite and weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
Serious allergic reaction
It happens rarely, but it's possible to have an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to hydrocortisone.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of hydrocortisone for piles and itchy bottom. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.