Dr Mark on mosquito bites: How hydrocortisone cream can immediately stop the itching
This Morning: Dr Mark shares medical tips for your summer holiday
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Mosquitoes thrive in warm and wet environments, so a rise in the average temperature could make the UK a more attractive destination. Dr Mark Porter appeared on This Morning to discuss methods to help treat mosquito bites.
Dr Mark said: “If you did get bitten the simplest way of treating is and what doctors would use is a topical steroid cream like hydrocortisone one percent.
“You can buy that over the counter and that’s my favourite one.
“It tends to get rid of the itchiness and redness, but it does take 12 – 24 hours to start working so the sooner you apply the better.”
What is hydrocortisone?
Hydrocortisone is a prescription medication, coming in many forms, including an oral tablet.
It is a steroid medicine which works by calming down the body’s immune response to reduce pain, itching and swelling (inflammation).
It can also be used as hormone replacement for people who do not have enough of the natural stress hormone, cortisol.
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Other health conditions which can be treated by hydrocortisone include:
- Rheumatic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Eye conditions, such as severe allergic and inflammatory conditions
- Stomach or intestinal disorders, such as ulcerative colitis and intestinal swelling
- Collagen disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus
- Endocrine disorders, such as thyroid inflammation
- Respiratory disorders, such as Loeffler’s syndrome or inflammation of the lung due to beryllium or aspiration
- Infections, such as tuberculosis, meningitis in tuberculosis, and roundworm infections
- Adrenocortical deficiency
- Swelling and inflammation and skin disorders, such as pemphigus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, mycosis fungoides, severe psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis
- Allergies
- Blood disorders
- Fluid retention
- Cancer-related conditions, such as leukaemia symptoms, lymphoma symptoms, and hypercalcemia associated with cancer
Most adults and children aged 10 years and over can use hydrocortisone skin treatments, said the NHS.
The national health body added: “Do not use hydrocortisone skin treatments on children under 10 years old unless their doctor recommends it.
“Hydrocortisone is not suitable for some people.
“Tell your pharmacist or doctor before starting the medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone or any other medicine, have a skin or eye infection or are trying to get pregnant, or already pregnant or you’re breastfeeding.”
How to reduce itchy symptoms
To treat mosquito bites, experts advise to wash the bite with soap and warm water.
You can also use over-the-counter pain relievers, antihistamines, or topical anti-itch medications to control pain and itching.
Applying an ice pack to your skin can also provide relief from itching.
It’s rare for anyone to have a severe allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. If you develop body aches, headache, or fever after getting bitten, contact your doctor.
These may be symptoms of a severe reaction or mosquito-borne disease.
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