"What if hair grows up?": Are hormonal creams and ointments dangerous?
Text: Elvira Azizova
RESPONSES TO THE MAJORITY OF US QUESTIONS we used to search online. In the new series of materials we ask such questions: burning, unexpected or widespread - to professionals in various fields.
Every day, the skin is subjected to a tremendous impact - it can leave almost everything, from water and air to emotional changes. Although dermatitis, skin allergies or manifestations of psoriasis do not carry immediate danger, they can thoroughly spoil the quality of life and mood. To treat these conditions, doctors often prescribe hormone-containing medications — however, such ointments frighten many.
Fears of them are not peculiar to Russians: the fear of side effects and low awareness are called the main reasons for refusing treatment all over the world. Whole studies are devoted to the fear of hormonal creams, and special tools are being developed to measure the degree of this fear. It seems to many that hormones penetrate the skin and cause irreparable changes - from violations of the general background to the growth of hair on the body. Are these fears justified? In which case, such ointments are necessary and can they harm, for example, the growth and development of the child? We asked these questions to the expert.
Maria Merekina
dermatocosmetologist, "Clinic of modern cosmetology of Yulia Shcherbatova"
Active substances in hormonal preparations, as a rule, are corticosteroids (prednisone, hydrocortisone, flumethasone, betamethasone, methylprednisolone, etc.) - these are hormones produced by the adrenal glands to regulate the processes in the body. Nevertheless, any medicine is not only the active ingredient itself, but also the means that facilitate its delivery to the right place. For example, there are tablets that dissolve in the stomach - and there are pills with a membrane resistant to gastric juice, which dissolves only in the intestines. The same with skin preparations: while creating a contraceptive patch, it is important that hormones penetrate through the skin and be absorbed into the blood, then when making steroid creams, ointments or lotions, manufacturers concentrate on making the effect local. As a result, such a remedy allows you to eliminate itching, pain or swelling, but the absorption of hormones into the blood (at least in the amount that gives some effect) does not occur.
The problem that doctors constantly face is the amount of false information on the Internet. On the one hand, a person who is worried about something starts looking for advice on treatment, and as a result, some people prescribe hormonal drugs for themselves, but not the ones they need, or in an incorrect mode. On the other hand, even those who came to the specialist begin to question the appointment, referring again to articles on the Web. At the same time, the first rule for the use of hormonal drugs is that they should be prescribed by a specialist who will follow the treatment in the future.
Many patients are afraid that due to hormonal cream the menstrual cycle will break, their facial hair will grow or the effectiveness of contraceptives will decrease.
A huge amount of research is devoted to the safety and effectiveness of steroid anti-inflammatory ointments - and the overwhelming majority of scientists and doctors who practice an evidence-based approach agree that adequate and careful use of such drugs carries no harm and systemic consequences. Special mention deserves the fears of parents about the use of hormones for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and other skin diseases in children - but if used wisely under the supervision of a doctor, these ointments will not affect the growth, development, puberty and further well-being of the child.
Many patients are afraid that due to hormonal cream the menstrual cycle will be broken, hair on the face will grow or the effectiveness of contraceptives will decrease - however, with the correct prescription of drugs, such effects do not occur. If you choose the wrong means (for example, if it is too strong) or steroid dependence can develop - this happens when the adrenal cortex in response to hormones coming in from outside reduces its own production. Another common side effect is atrophy of the skin, as a result of which tissues become less sensitive and the dose or power of the drugs has to be increased.
It is important to understand that the use of steroid creams and ointments is indeed associated with some risks - but they arise when deviating from the treatment regimen. Hormonal agents should not be used chaotically and haphazardly, as well as abruptly cancel them. You should not self-medicate - but if a doctor you trust has prescribed such a drug, you don’t need to be afraid of it.
Photo:Irina - stock.adobe.com, Dmytro Sukharevskyi - stock.adobe.com