Hydrocortisone is a topical corticosteroid (steroid). Topical means applied to skin and should not be confused with anabolic steroids. Hydrocortisone is used to relieve itching, inflamed skin and redness caused by different skin conditions such as mild to moderate eczema, insect bites and stings as well as allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. A doctor may also prescribe hydrocortisone for nappy rash or psoriasis.
Hydrocortisone works by suppressing the body's immune response in the skin cells and stop them releasing the chemicals causing the inflammation.