Skin Creams & Ointments Decoded 🧴

The tube of cream in your drawer might be a steroid, an antifungal, an antibiotic, or a numbing gel — and using the wrong one can make your skin problem worse. This guide decodes the common skin creams sold in India, what each one actually treats, and which ones you should never use without a doctor.

🟣 PAIN & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY GELS

Diclofenac Gel

• Salt/Composition: Diclofenac Diethylamine 1% / 1.16% gel
• Used For: Muscle pain, joint pain, arthritis, sprains, back pain
• How It Works: NSAID — reduces local pain and inflammation
• Note: Apply 3-4 times daily; wash hands after; avoid broken skin

Capsaicin Cream

• Salt/Composition: Capsaicin 0.025% / 0.075%
• Used For: Nerve pain, arthritis, muscle aches
• How It Works: Depletes pain-signal chemical (substance P)
• Note: Causes a warm/burning feel; wash hands well, avoid eyes

🔴 STEROID CREAMS (Corticosteroids) — By Potency

Steroid creams reduce inflammation, redness and itching. They come in a potency ladder — the stronger they are, the more careful you must be.

Hydrocortisone Cream (Mild)

• Salt/Composition: Hydrocortisone 1% / 2.5%
• Used For: Itching, insect bites, minor irritation, mild eczema
• Note: Safest steroid; okay short-term; the only steroid sometimes OK on the face (briefly)

Betamethasone Cream (Potent)

• Salt/Composition: Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% / Dipropionate 0.05%
• Used For: Dermatitis, eczema, skin allergies, psoriasis
• Note: Potent — short-term, prescribed use; not for the face or long-term

Mometasone Cream (Potent)

• Salt/Composition: Mometasone Furoate 0.1%
• Used For: Eczema, psoriasis, allergic skin conditions
• Note: Once-daily potent steroid; use as prescribed

Clobetasol Cream (Super-Potent)

• Salt/Composition: Clobetasol Propionate 0.05%
• Used For: Severe dermatitis, thick psoriasis, intense inflammation
• Note: Strongest common steroid — short-term only; never on the face/groin; not without a doctor

🟢 NON-STEROID ECZEMA CREAM

Tacrolimus Ointment

• Salt/Composition: Tacrolimus 0.03% / 0.1%
• Used For: Eczema (atopic dermatitis), especially on the face and folds
• How It Works: Calcineurin inhibitor — calms immune-driven inflammation without steroid side effects
• Note: Steroid-free; good for long-term/facial eczema; mild stinging at first

🍄 ANTIFUNGAL CREAMS

Clotrimazole Ointment

• Salt/Composition: Clotrimazole 1%
• Used For: Athlete’s foot, ringworm (tinea), candidiasis, itching from fungus
• Note: Apply 2-3 times daily for 2-4 weeks; continue after it clears to prevent relapse

Ketoconazole Ointment / Shampoo

• Salt/Composition: Ketoconazole 2%
• Used For: Seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, fungal skin infections
• Note: Also as a shampoo for dandruff

Terbinafine Cream

• Salt/Composition: Terbinafine 1%
• Used For: Ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch
• How It Works: Fungicidal (kills fungus) — often faster than older antifungals
• Note: Usually 1-2 weeks; effective for stubborn tinea

Miconazole Cream

• Salt/Composition: Miconazole 2%
• Used For: Fungal skin and nappy-area infections
• Note: Also used in combination diaper-rash creams

🟠 ANTIBACTERIAL CREAMS

Mupirocin Ointment

• Salt/Composition: Mupirocin 2%
• Used For: Bacterial skin infections — impetigo, infected cuts, folliculitis
• Note: Very effective; apply 2-3 times daily for up to 10 days

Bacitracin + Neomycin Ointment

• Salt/Composition: Bacitracin + Neomycin (± Polymyxin B)
• Used For: Wounds, cuts, and minor burns; preventing infection
• Note: Common first-aid antibiotic ointment; stop if irritation/allergy occurs

Fusidic Acid Cream

• Salt/Composition: Fusidic Acid 2%
• Used For: Impetigo, infected eczema, folliculitis, infected cuts
• Note: For external use; avoid eyes

Framycetin Cream (Soframycin)

• Salt/Composition: Framycetin Sulphate 1%
• Used For: Minor cuts, wounds, burns, infected skin
• Note: Popular Indian first-aid antibiotic cream

🦠 ANTIVIRAL CREAM

Acyclovir Ointment

• Salt/Composition: Aciclovir 5%
• Used For: Cold sores (oral herpes), genital herpes
• How It Works: Antiviral — stops herpes virus from multiplying
• Note: Works best applied at the first tingle; apply 5 times daily

🩹 ANTISEPTICS FOR CUTS & WOUNDS

Povidone-Iodine (Betadine) Ointment/Solution

• Salt/Composition: Povidone-Iodine 5% / 10%
• Used For: Cleaning cuts, wounds, grazes, minor burns; preventing infection
• How It Works: Broad antiseptic — kills bacteria, fungi and viruses
• Note: The classic “iodine for a cut wound”; for external use; avoid large raw areas long-term

Chlorhexidine Cream/Solution

• Salt/Composition: Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.5% / 1%
• Used For: Cleaning wounds, antiseptic skin prep
• Note: Gentle antiseptic; also in some wound powders

🔥 BURN CREAMS

Silver Sulfadiazine Cream

• Salt/Composition: Silver Sulfadiazine 1%
• Used For: Burns (fire/scald/thermal) — prevents and treats burn-wound infection
• How It Works: Antimicrobial — protects burnt skin while it heals
• Note: The standard burn cream; apply under a dressing as advised

Framycetin / “Burnol”-type Creams

• Salt/Composition: Framycetin or antiseptic burn formulas
• Used For: Minor burns and scalds (first aid)
• Note: For minor burns only — cool the burn with running water first; big/deep burns need a hospital

Silver Nitrate

• Salt/Composition: Silver Nitrate (0.5% solution / caustic applicator sticks)
• Used For: Historically as an antimicrobial soak/dressing for burns; today mainly to cauterize over-granulating (proud-flesh) wounds, minor bleeding wounds and warts
• How It Works: Silver ions kill microbes; in stick form it chemically burns off excess tissue
• Note: Not the same as silver sulfadiazine cream — silver nitrate stains skin/fabric black and is a caustic agent used by clinicians, not a routine burn cream. Silver sulfadiazine remains the standard burn cream.

💉 NUMBING (LOCAL ANAESTHETIC) CREAMS

Lidocaine + Prilocaine Gel (EMLA)

• Salt/Composition: Lidocaine 2.5% + Prilocaine 2.5%
• Used For: Numbing the skin before injections, blood tests, minor procedures, tattoos; local pain/itch relief
• How It Works: Local anaesthetic — temporarily blocks skin sensation
• Note: Apply ~30-60 min before a procedure under a cover; mainly a numbing gel (not a daily itch cream)

Lignocaine (Lidocaine) Gel

• Salt/Composition: Lignocaine 2%
• Used For: Painful mouth ulcers, minor procedures, catheter insertion
• Note: Fast, short-lasting numbing

🪑 PILES (HAEMORRHOID) CREAMS

Lignocaine-based Pile Creams (e.g., Anovate / Faktu-type)

• Salt/Composition: Typically Lignocaine + a mild steroid (Beclomethasone/Hydrocortisone) ± Phenylephrine (shrinks vessels) ± soothing agents
• Used For: Piles (haemorrhoids) — pain, itching, swelling, bleeding; anal fissures
• How It Works: Numbs pain, reduces swelling and inflammation around the anus
• Note: Short-term use; apply after passing stool and at bedtime; see a doctor for persistent bleeding

🐛 SCABIES & LICE CREAMS

Permethrin Cream

• Salt/Composition: Permethrin 5% (cream) / 1% (lotion for lice)
• Used For: Scabies (mite infestation) and head lice
• How It Works: Kills mites and lice
• Note: For scabies, apply neck-down, leave overnight (8-12 hrs), wash off; treat the whole family and wash all bedding/clothes in hot water

Permethrin/Benzyl Benzoate (alternative)

• Salt/Composition: Benzyl Benzoate 25%
• Used For: Scabies (alternative when permethrin unsuitable)
• Note: Can sting on broken skin; follow doctor’s instructions

👶 DIAPER RASH & ITCH-SOOTHING CREAMS

Zinc Oxide + Vitamins Ointment

• Salt/Composition: Zinc Oxide (± Vitamins A & D, light liquid paraffin)
• Used For: Prevention and treatment of diaper (nappy) rash in babies and adults
• How It Works: Forms a protective barrier against moisture; soothes and heals
• Note: Apply a thick layer at each nappy change; keep the area dry and airy

Calamine Lotion

• Salt/Composition: Calamine + Zinc Oxide
• Used For: Itching, prickly heat, sunburn, chickenpox, insect bites
• How It Works: Cooling, soothing, anti-itch barrier
• Note: Shake well; safe for most ages

💥 ACNE CREAMS

Benzoyl Peroxide Gel

• Salt/Composition: Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% / 5%
• Used For: Acne (pimples) — kills acne bacteria, unclogs pores
• Note: Can dry/bleach skin and fabric; start low

Adapalene Gel

• Salt/Composition: Adapalene 0.1%
• Used For: Acne, blackheads, whiteheads
• How It Works: Retinoid — normalises skin cell turnover
• Note: Apply at night; use sunscreen by day; avoid in pregnancy

Clindamycin Gel

• Salt/Composition: Clindamycin 1% (often with adapalene/BP or nicotinamide)
• Used For: Inflammatory acne
• Note: Topical antibiotic; usually combined to prevent resistance

Quick Reference — Which Cream for What?

flowchart TD
    A[What is the skin problem?] --> B{Infection?}
    B -->|Fungal ring/itch| C[Antifungal
Clotrimazole/Terbinafine]
    B -->|Bacterial/pus| D[Antibiotic
Mupirocin/Fusidic acid]
    B -->|Cold sore/herpes| E[Antiviral
Acyclovir]
    B -->|No infection| F{Inflamed & itchy?}
    F -->|Yes| G[Steroid by strength
Hydrocortisone to Clobetasol]
    F -->|Cut/wound| H[Antiseptic
Povidone-Iodine]
    F -->|Burn| I[Silver Sulfadiazine]
    F -->|Diaper rash| J[Zinc Oxide barrier]

    style C fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#2e7d32
    style D fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#ef6c00
    style E fill:#ede7f6,stroke:#5e35b1
    style G fill:#ffebee,stroke:#c62828
    style H fill:#e3f2fd,stroke:#1565c0
    style I fill:#fff8e1,stroke:#f9a825
    style J fill:#e0f7fa,stroke:#00838f

⚠️ How to Use Skin Creams Safely

Golden Rules:

• 🎯 Right cream, right diagnosis — steroids on fungus make it worse
• 🧼 Clean and dry the skin before applying
• ☝️ Use a thin layer — more is not better (learn the “fingertip unit”)
• ⏱️ Follow the duration — stop potent steroids on time
• 🚫 Avoid the face/groin with strong steroids unless told
• 👶 Extra care for babies — thin skin absorbs more
• 🩺 See a doctor if it spreads, weeps, or doesn’t improve in a week

தமிழில் முக்கிய குறிப்புகள் (Tamil Notes)

• ✅ ஸ்டீராய்டு கிரீம் (Clobetasol, Betamethasone) — படம்பூச்சி (ringworm) அல்லது கண்டறியப்படாத தடிப்புகளுக்கு பயன்படுத்த வேண்டாம்; அது மோசமாகும்.
• ✅ படம்பூச்சி/பூஞ்சை தொற்றுக்கு — Clotrimazole, Terbinafine (antifungal).
• ✅ காயம்/வெட்டு சுத்தம் செய்ய — Betadine (Povidone-Iodine).
• ✅ தீக்காயம் — Silver Sulfadiazine; முதலில் குளிர்ந்த நீரில் 15-20 நிமிடம் வையுங்கள்.
• ✅ சிரங்கு (scabies) — Permethrin; குடும்பம் முழுவதும் சிகிச்சை + துணிகளை சூடான நீரில் துவைக்கவும்.
• ✅ டயப்பர் ராஷ் — Zinc Oxide barrier cream.

Conclusion

Skin creams are not one-size-fits-all. The same red, itchy patch could need a steroid, an antifungal, or an antibiotic — and the wrong choice can make it worse. Read the salt name, match it to the right problem, respect prescription-only creams, and never use strong steroids on an undiagnosed rash.