Whitening of skin from hydrocortisone cream

[sdiep1337]

I have had an Eczema flare up on my right forearm last night and I liberally applied hydro cortisone cream on it and left it on for about 3 hours. I noticed afterwards that the surrounding skin of the Eczema flare up turned white. Now I have this pretty big white border around the flare up. Is this temporary? I am really worried. Thanks.

[edselyn]

hi, my daughter has hypo pigmentation around her lips because of cortisone 2.5%. its almost 6 months and still there, do you think it will still go back to its normal color?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This hypopigmentation is due to effect of the steroid cream and is temporary. Without treatment, this usually takes about 6 months to resolve and for the skin color to go back to its normal color.   Do not apply any steroid cream till it gets resolved and use steroids only under a medical supervision.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.