Calmurid HC cream

How does it work?

This medicine contains three active ingredients, hydrocortisone, urea and lactic acid. Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Inflammation of the skin happens due to the irritation of the skin, and is caused by the release of various substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful. When hydrocortisone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the skin cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itch. Hydrocortisone is a mild corticosteroid that is applied to the skin to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin diseases, such as eczema. Urea is a substance that is found naturally in the skin, which by its nature is very attracted to water. It is used to help rehydrate dry, scaly skin. When urea is applied to the skin it penetrates the outer layer, known as the stratum corneum, where it readily absorbs and retains water. This increases the capacity of the skin to hold moisture, and the skin therefore becomes rehydrated. Lactic acid has similar hydrating effects to urea, and also breaks down keratin, which is a protein that forms part of the skin structure. In conditions such as chronic eczema, excessive amounts of keratin causes the skin cells to harden, and makes the skin become thickened and scaly. This not only makes the skin itchy and inflamed, but also reduces the degree to which anti-inflammatory medicines can penetrate through the skin to treat the inflammation. Lactic acid breaks down the keratin, helping to shed skin cells from the area to which it is applied, and soften and improve the appearance of dry, scaly skin. By rehydrating and softening the skin, urea and lactic acid improve the ability of the hydrocortisone to penetrate the skin and reduce inflammation. These ingredients therefore make the hydrocortisone slightly more potent. The active ingredients are also formulated in a moisturising base that provides a layer of oil on the surface of the skin, helping to prevent water from evaporating from the skin surface. This reduces the dryness, scaling and itching of skin conditions such as eczema.

What is it used for?

An eruption of solid raised areas in the skin accompanied by intense itching and associated with asthma, hayfever or other genetic allergy (Besnier's prurigo)

Eczema

Other inflammatory, scaly skin disorders

Thickened skin rash caused by excessive scratching to relieve itching (neurodermatitis)

Warning!

Avoid prolonged use on the face.

If corticosteroids are used long-term, on large areas of skin, raw skin, skin folds, or under airtight dressings (including nappies) they are absorbed into the body more. This increases the risk of local side effects such as skin thinning, and those on other parts of the body, such as a decrease in the production of natural hormones by the adrenal glands. For this reason, continuous, long-term use of this medicine should be avoided wherever possible, particularly in children and on large areas of skin. You should only use airtight dressings over the affected area if instructed by your doctor.

This preparation is for external use only.

If you have been prescribed this medicine to treat psoriasis you should have regular check-ups with your doctor. This is because although corticosteroids may be useful for psoriasis in the short-term, they can sometimes make psoriasis worse, and may cause the condition to relapse into generalised pustular psoriasis after the treatment is stopped.

This medicine should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s).

Avoid contact of this medicine with the eyes and the moist membranes lining the inside of certain parts of the body, eg mouth, nasal passages (mucous membranes). Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs.

Continuous, long term use of this medicine should be avoided in children.

If you experience stinging when applying this medicine and this prevents you using it, the medicine can be diluted with an equal quantity of aqueous cream for a week of treatment. After this time you should be able to use it undiluted. Seek further advice from your pharmacist.

Wash your hands thoroughly after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated.

Use with caution in

Children

Psoriasis

Not to be used in

Acne

Acne rosacea

Bacterial skin infections, unless the infection is also treated

Fungal skin infections, unless the infection is also treated

Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)

Skin sores caused by syphilis

Skin sores caused by tuberculosis

Viral skin infections such as chickenpox or herpes simplex

Widespread plaque psoriasis

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings, or for prolonged periods of time. Consult your doctor for further information.

This medicine should not be used during breastfeeding unless considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings or for prolonged periods of time. If it is applied to the breasts it should be washed off carefully before breastfeeding and then reapplied afterwards.

Label warnings

This medication is to be spread thinly and sparingly on the skin.

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