Same molecule as Hydrocortisone 1%
Poison ivy. Eczema flare. Bug bites. Rash. The one OTC steroid that stops the itch.
Strongest topical steroid available without prescription. Anti inflammatory. Anti itch. Maximum 7 day OTC protocol. 1 oz.
Ships within 1 to 2 business days from our pharmacy. Free shipping on subscriptions and orders over $50.
The protocol.
- Apply a thin layer to the affected area 2 to 4 times daily
- Maximum 7 days without physician guidance
- Do NOT apply to face, groin, or underarms without medical supervision
- Do NOT apply to infected skin (pus, warmth, spreading redness)
- Allow to absorb before covering. Do not bandage tightly over hydrocortisone.
Safe for. Use with caution.
Safe for
- Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac reactions
- Insect bites and mild allergic skin reactions
- Eczema and contact dermatitis flares
- Heat rash and friction irritation
Use with caution
- Skin that may be infected. Steroids suppress immune response. Wrong for infection.
- Face, groin, underarms without physician supervision.
- Use beyond 7 days without pharmacist or physician guidance.
Before you buy just the tablet, look at this.
Fairview Itch and Reaction Defense Kit$33.99
- Hydrocortisone Cream 1% 1oz
- Benadryl Anti Itch Cream 1oz
- Calamine Lotion
- Antihistamine Tablets
Individual total: $41.96 → Kit: $33.99 → You save $7.97.
Plus you skip the $50 minimum entirely.
Get the Complete Kit. Best ValueThis product is new to the shop. Verified customer reviews will appear here as they come in. Have a question before then? Ask Dr. Mike.
Complete the protocol.
What chain pharmacies never explain.
Itching and inflammation from skin reactions, whether from poison ivy, insect bites, eczema, contact dermatitis, or psoriasis flares, share a common underlying mechanism: the immune system is releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators into the skin tissue.
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid, specifically a synthetic version of cortisol, the body's own anti inflammatory hormone. It binds to glucocorticoid receptors in skin cells and suppresses the production of pro inflammatory cytokines, histamine release, and vascular dilation. The result: reduced redness, reduced swelling, and significantly reduced itching.
At 1% concentration, hydrocortisone is the strongest topical corticosteroid available without a prescription. Prescription topical steroids range from 2.5% to 0.05% (clobetasol), which gives you a sense of where 1% sits in the therapeutic landscape. It is clinically meaningful for mild to moderate skin inflammatory conditions, and it is the appropriate starting point before escalating to prescription options.
The 7 day rule: topical corticosteroids used longer than 7 days without physician supervision can cause skin thinning (atrophy), especially on thin skinned areas like the face, underarms, and groin.
Mississippi outdoor season means poison ivy, fire ants, mosquito bites, and heat rash are daily realities. Hydrocortisone 1% is the right first line treatment for all of them. Thin layer only. More does not mean faster relief and increases the systemic absorption risk. Do not use on infected skin. Steroids suppress the immune response, which is exactly the wrong thing to do when there's active infection. If you're unsure whether your rash is infected, call me before applying hydrocortisone.
Dr. Mike Acheampong, PharmD, MPH. Fairview Pharmacy, Hattiesburg, MS.
Questions, answered.
How is this different from the brand on the same shelf?
Where we stock the brand name (Neosporin, CeraVe, Lamisil, etc.), the medicine is identical. Our price is what changes. Where a category has equally effective generic active ingredients, the FDA bioequivalence standard guarantees the same active ingredient at the same dose. The pharmacist context on every product page is the part you cannot get at a chain.
How soon will my order ship?
Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days from our pharmacy in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. You'll receive a tracking number once your package leaves the pharmacy. Free shipping on orders over $50. Defense Kit purchases skip the $50 minimum entirely.
What is your return policy?
Unopened products in their original sealed packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a refund. For safety reasons, opened skincare and wound care products are not returnable. If something arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us within 7 days and we'll make it right.
Can I use this with my prescription medications or topical Rx?
Most OTC skin and wound products are compatible with prescription topicals, but the order and timing of application matter. Steroid creams, retinoids, and prescription antifungals each have their own rules. For any combination involving prescriptions, please call us at the pharmacy for a free consultation. No appointment, no hold music.
Is this safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Most products in this collection are safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding when used as directed on small skin surface areas. Exceptions include hydrocortisone over large areas, terbinafine (Lamisil) during pregnancy, and selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue) on the scalp. Before ordering during pregnancy or breastfeeding, please request a free pharmacist consultation.
One product is good. The kit is the protocol.
Dr. Mike doesn't hand patients single products. He hands them protocols. The Fairview Itch and Reaction Defense Kit is the full version of what most people need. And it skips the $50 minimum.