my doctor prescribed me with hydrocortisone cream usp,2.5% and I've been using it 3 times a day after sitz baths and BM's but I read somewhere in these boards(forgot where)that its not good to use it.I've been using it now for the past five months but I don't think its helping me,atleast as far as the healing goes but it does sooth me right after BM's.Should I keep using it or should I stop and why?

Hey Afugh Welcome to the forum !
IMHO I would stop using the hydrocortisone, I used H for many months too it is only supposed to be used for a week or two as it can thin the skin, not so ideal with fissure, right !

Hello Tabby-My butt tends to burn at night before bed after a sitz bath and I usually use H to soothe it,is there any cream or lotion I can use in the mean time?

Lidocaine would probably do the trick, at least as well or better than hydrocortisone.

Tabby,
I love your avatar.
Kim,
You tried, but I think you have to remove your quilt!

If you have a fissure I don't think hydrocortisone is going to do much except offer very temporary and minimal relief from the post BM burning. I used 2.5% hydrocortisone for a long time because my primary doctor didn't know a thing about fissures. It didn't do squat except make me feel slightly better for about 15 minutes and that was it.
Lidocaine is a good numbing agent, I have it in one of the ointments the pharmacy compounded for me. The higher strength lidocaine ointments are Rx only but the lower strength ones can be found over the counter. Also, there's an over the counter product called dibucaine (brand name is usually Nupercainal) that works good for numbing the area. I use it every time I think a "challenging" BM is coming. Note that neither lidocaine nor dibucaine will do anything for the fissure in the long term, either, just offer more short term relief than the hydrocortisone.

Thanks Kim and NG I'll give it a shot.After my sitz last night it took an hour for the burning to subside and I was finally able to relax and fall asleep.

Cheryl!! :oops: