Nancy LeBrun is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning writer and producer who has been writing about health and wellness for more than six years

Rochelle Collins, DO, is board-certified in family medicine. She is an assistant clinical professor of family medicine at Quinnipiac University and works in private practice in Hartford, Connecticut.

Cortisone and hydrocortisone are both corticosteroids (often shortened to "steroids"). Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory drug that mimics the natural hormone cortisol , which is known as the stress hormone. Cortisone, however, must be processed by the liver to produce anti-inflammatory properties in the immune system. It is converted to hydrocortisone by the body to produce these effects.

Corticosteroids treat many different conditions, but cortisone and hydrocortisone, while similar, are not the same thing. Read on to learn more about the differences between cortisone and hydrocortisone, and when to use each.

Hydrocortisone in a topical form is a mild corticosteroid medication that relieves pain, redness, itching, and inflammation on the skin. It does this by activating natural substances in the skin that suppress immune system responses. It can also be injected or given orally in pill form when prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Hydrocortisone is used for a number of conditions. When used topically as an anti-itch cream or lotion, it can help stop the itch or allergic reactions of many conditions, including:

In oral or injectable form, hydrocortisone is used to treat other conditions like autoimmune diseases and infections, and can alleviate nausea from chemotherapy. These forms of hydrocortisone are only available through a healthcare provider.

Over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone topicals, which contain 1% or less hydrocortisone, typically have mild side effects. The side effects of prescription-strength hydrocortisone topicals can be more significant.

Common topical hydrocortisone side effects include:

Oral hydrocortisone can have additional side effects, including:

There are other, more serious side effects of oral hydrocortisone, but these are rare. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following side effects from prescription-strength hydrocortisone, which include:

Cortisone is a naturally occurring, inactive corticosteroid that must be processed by the liver into hydrocortisone before it becomes active in immune system suppression, which controls inflammation and other symptoms. It is available by prescription only.

Cortisone can be used to treat the following:

Cortisone can cause a variety of side effects, including:

Because cortisone suppresses the immune system, it makes you more prone to infection. Therefore, you may be given instructions on how to avoid exposure to infection.

Seek emergency medical treatment if you have signs of an allergic reaction to cortisone, such as:

Hydrocortisone is often used on the skin as a topical anti-itch medication for conditions like rashes or bug bites. Both cortisone and hydrocortisone are given as oral medications (pills) to treat inflammatory autoimmune diseases and other health conditions.

Corticosteroids are not the same thing as anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that act like testosterone, used to build muscle. They can be used for weight gain, but they can also be abused and lead to both mental and physical damage.

Some forms of hydrocortisone are available over-the-counter, while other corticosteroids are prescription only.

Topical hydrocortisone comes in the form of:

Other corticosteroids come in the form of:

Corticosteroids are fast-acting medications that suppress the immune system, but they act in different ways.

Topical hydrocortisone works on the skin by suppressing the immune system response that causes itching and rashes from bug bites, eczema, or other skin conditions. It is shorter acting than cortisone. It is usually applied in a cream or lotion. Hydrocortisone pills or injections are also available by prescription to treat more severe inflammation or other conditions.

Cortisone also suppresses the immune system, but it must be metabolized (processed) in the liver and converted to hydrocortisone. It comes in oral form and can be delivered in higher strengths than topical hydrocortisone medications.

Poison ivy or poison oak

Hydrocortisone and cortisone are both corticosteroids, which are manufactured hormones that suppress the immune system response. Topical hydrocortisone can be purchased over the counter (without a prescription) and is used on the skin as a cream or ointment. It also comes in the form of a pill or injectable, which is only available by prescription.

Cortisone is an oral medication that must be processed by the liver to become active in treating autoimmune diseases, other inflammatory conditions, certain cancers, and other health conditions.

Corticosteroids can be effective in treating a wide range of symptoms, but they should always be used carefully to avoid side effects, some of which can be serious. If you are taking prescription corticosteroids, follow the directions carefully as outlined by your healthcare provider.

Yes, Cortizone 10 is a mild hydrocortisone treatment that is sold over-the-counter as an anti-itch medication.

Don't use hydrocortisone cream if you have signs of a fungal infection like thrush or athlete's foot. Don't use it for diaper rash without checking with a healthcare provider. Don't use it on your face without your provider's permission. Don't use it if you have an infection, have had an allergic reaction to corticosteroids, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The strongest steroid creams or topicals you can buy over the counter are hydrocortisone 1%. Stronger topical concentrations are available by prescription only.

National Health Service. Hydrocortisone for skin.

Prescriber's Digital Reference. Cortisone acetate.

National Institute of Drug Abuse. Anabolic steroid drug facts.

By Nancy LeBrun In addition to her extensive health and wellness writing, Nancy has written about many general interest topics for publications as diverse as Newsweek, Teen Vogue, abcnews.com, and Craftsmanship Quarterly. She has authored a book about documentary filmmaking, a screenplay about a lost civil rights hero, and ghostwritten several memoirs.

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