Hydrocortisone-17-Butyrate

Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate is a topical corticosteroid medication used to treat certain skin conditions. It reduces swelling, itching and redness of the skin. This medication is is a mild potency corticosteroid. It may be found in creams, lotions, ointments, and powders as well as in ear, nose, and eye drops.

There are many types of cortisone products. An allergy to Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate does not mean you are allergic to all other forms of cortisones.

Skin contact with Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis. The most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis from Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate is corticosteroid creams. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of your skin care products and topical medications. If there is no information ask your pharmacist. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.

You should alert your health care provider of this allergy so he does not prescribe this medication or cross-reacting medications.

Your physician may wish to further study this allergy by testing to several corticosteroids so that you may use safer corticosteroids if necessary in the future.