How dangerous is cortisone cream really?

Bad reputation of cortisone dates back to the 50s
Cortisone is prescribed by physicians for many different conditions such as rheumatism, skin diseases, asthma, bowel disease, allergies and multiple sclerosis. No other agent has such a broad spectrum of applications. However, many patients have reservations about cortisone-containing products. Cortisone makes the skin thinner, reads and hears again and again. The news agency "dpa" spoke with Prof. Torsten Zuberbier, director of the European Foundation for Allergy Research (ECARF), about the benefits and the risks.

Cortisone cream can help with various skin complaints, but the risk of side effects should not be underestimated. (Image: eenevski / fotolia.com)

High benefits of cortisone cream
Cortisone cream does not have a good reputation. But why is it like that? Does the remedy really endanger your health? "It's like a kitchen knife," explains Zuberbier. When used properly, the benefits far outweigh the benefits. In addition Zuberbier points out that the over-the-counter cortisone creams are very low-dose.

Nevertheless, cortisone cream should not be confused with cosmetics. Because in the long run, the skin would be thinner and extended blood veins would be visible, Zuberbier. Depending on the symptoms, care must be taken to use the right product. Thus, a cream is the right choice for wet skin problems, rather an ointment for dry skin.

Its bad reputation owes cortisone overdose in the 50s. At that time, the remedy had also been used internally in far too high doses and had caused strong side effects, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thrombosis, weight gain and green and cataracts.

What is cortisone?
What is commonly referred to as "cortisone" includes a group of anti-inflammatory drugs called glucocorticoids that suppress the production of pro-inflammatory messengers in immune cells. Because cortisone also weakens the immune system, it prevents excessive immune reactions, such as allergies. (Ag)