Desonide Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Desonide Cream (desonide) is a low-potency topical corticosteroid applied to the skin to reduce redness, swelling, and itching caused by certain skin conditions. It is used to relieve inflammation and itching from eczema and other corticosteroid-responsive skin disorders, including conditions like psoriasis. It is generally intended for short-term use and comes in several forms to suit different areas of skin.

What is Desonide Cream

Desonide is a low-potency steroid cream applied to the skin. It reduces redness, swelling, and itching caused by certain skin conditions.

Desonide Cream uses

• Treats inflammation and itching caused by eczema or other skin conditions that respond to steroid medication
• Relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses
• Treats redness, swelling, itching, and discomfort of skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema

Benefits of Desonide Cream

• Reduces inflammation, redness, and itching of affected skin
• Low-potency steroid, so it has a lower risk of side effects compared with stronger steroids
• Available in several forms (cream, ointment, gel, foam, lotion) to suit different areas of skin

How Desonide Cream works

Desonide is a corticosteroid that is thought to block certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. By stopping these chemicals from being made, it helps calm irritated skin and relieve symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching.

Desonide Cream dosage

Apply the medicine only to the skin; do not take it by mouth. Rinse with water if it gets in your eyes or mouth. Shake the lotion well just before each use to mix the medication evenly. Wash your hands after applying, unless you are treating the skin on your hands. Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub it in gently.

Do not apply over a large area of skin unless your doctor has told you to. Do not cover the treated area with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor tells you to, since this can increase the amount absorbed through the skin. If treating the diaper area, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers.

This medicine is meant for short-term use only, generally a few weeks; follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Stop using the medicine once your skin symptoms are controlled. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. Apply at around the same times each day.

To use the foam on the face, apply it into your hands first and gently rub it onto the face rather than applying it directly to the face. Avoid use in the genital and rectal areas, and in skin creases and armpits unless directed by your doctor. Desonide foam may catch fire; stay away from open flame and do not smoke while applying it and for a short time afterward.

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not apply two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream
• Ointment
• Gel
• Foam
• Lotion
• Compounding powder

Side effects of Desonide Cream

Common

• Stinging or burning of treated skin
• Skin irritation, redness, itching, or hardening
• Dry, scaly, or oily skin
• Swelling in your hands or feet
• Acne, stretch marks
• Redness or crusting around your hair follicles
• Peeling of the skin
• Change in skin color

Serious

• Worsening of your skin condition
• Redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of any treated skin
• Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights
• High blood sugar—increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor
• Signs of absorbing the medicine through your skin—weight gain (especially in your face or upper back and torso), slow wound healing, thinning or discolored skin, increased body hair, muscle weakness, nausea, diarrhea, tiredness, mood changes, menstrual changes, sexual changes
• Signs of allergic reaction—hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Signs of skin infection—redness, swelling, oozing pus at the application site
• Slowed growth and delayed weight gain in children

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should not be used for longer than two weeks unless your doctor tells you to, since it should be discontinued when your skin condition is under control. If too much of this steroid is absorbed through the skin, it can affect the body's stress hormone production and other body functions, which can raise blood sugar or make skin bruise more easily. This risk is higher with long-term use, use over large areas, or if the area is covered.
• This medicine can lower your body's ability to fight infection at the treatment site. If a skin infection develops, stop using it and contact your prescriber right away. Do not use this medicine in the presence of infection at the treatment site, if you are hypersensitive to corticosteroids, or if you have pre-existing skin thinning.
• Children can absorb larger amounts of this medicine through the skin than adults and may be more likely to have side effects, including slowed growth, because of their larger skin-surface-to-body-mass ratio. Do not use this medicine in the eyes, and avoid getting it in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• For external use only. Do not use on infected skin unless the infection is appropriately treated. Avoid large treatment areas or prolonged use unless directed by a doctor. Do not use occlusive dressings or tightly cover treated skin unless specifically prescribed.
• Stop use if significant irritation or allergic reaction develops. Prolonged or excessive use may cause skin thinning, stretch marks, color changes, folliculitis, acne-like eruptions, or secondary infection. Excessive absorption can rarely cause HPA-axis suppression, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's syndrome, increased blood glucose, or glucose in the urine.
• Do not use if there is known hypersensitivity to desonide or any ingredient in the product.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver problems.
• It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and it should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
• It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about the risk, and if you apply it to your chest, avoid areas that may touch the baby's mouth.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat (not in the bathroom)
• Keep the bottle or tube tightly closed when not in use
• Keep this medication in the container it came in, out of reach of children
• Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed; talk to your pharmacist about proper disposal
• Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F)

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Call your doctor right away if your skin condition is getting worse, or if you notice redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or severe irritation of the treated skin
• Call your doctor if you have blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or see halos around lights
• Call your doctor if you notice signs of high blood sugar such as increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, or fruity breath odor
• Call your doctor if you notice signs that the medicine is being absorbed into your body, such as weight gain in your face or upper back, slow wound healing, thinning or discolored skin, increased body hair, muscle weakness, nausea, diarrhea, tiredness, mood changes, menstrual changes, or sexual changes
• If someone swallows this medicine, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center right away
• Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine

Alternatives

• Hydrocortisone 1% Cream
• Fluocinolone Acetonide Cream
• Fluticasone Propionate Cream