Desonide

Introduction

Written by Julz Richterman, PharmD, MBA, BCGP
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on September 7, 2023

Desonide (DES oh nide) is a generic medication prescribed to relieve skin inflammation (swelling) and itchiness. Desonide belongs to a group of drugs called topical corticosteroids.

Common questions about desonide

Below, you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about desonide.

Is desonide safe to use on your face?

Yes, desonide can be used on your face for short periods of time. Apply a thin layer of the drug only to the affected area. Avoid contact with your eyes and other mucous areas like inside your mouth. Be sure to stop using desonide as soon as your symptoms are relieved and manageable.

Talk with your doctor about where to apply desonide and how long your treatment should be.

How does desonide compare with hydrocortisone or triamcinolone?

Topical forms of hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, and desonide belong to the same group of drugs called topical corticosteroids. Topical products are applied to your skin. They’re used to relieve itching and inflammation (swelling) of the skin.

Different topical corticosteroids reduce inflammation by different amounts. To describe these differences, doctors may refer to these drugs as having low, medium, or high potency. “Potency” refers to how strongly a drug produces an effect. This can vary with the drug’s form and strength.

In general, desonide and hydrocortisone have low to medium potency. And triamcinolone has a medium to high potency. But this can vary with the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

If you have questions about which topical steroid may be right for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can desonide be used for yeast infection?

No, it cannot be used for that. Desonide will not treat the cause of a yeast infection. If you have a yeast infection, your doctor or pharmacist can recommend the right antifungal medication to treat the source of the infection.

Your doctor may prescribe desonide together with an antifungal drug to help relieve infection symptoms. But do not use desonide for this purpose if your doctor has not recommended it.

Keep in mind, desonide is for topical use only. It should not be used on mucous membranes such as in your mouth or vagina.

Talk with your doctor if you think you may have a yeast infection. They can recommend the best treatment for you.

How does desonide work? And how long does it take to start working?

Desonide is a topical corticosteroid. It works to reduce itching and inflammation (swelling) where you apply it to your skin. It’s not fully clear exactly how the drug works.

Skin itching and inflammation can be symptoms of certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.

With these conditions, it’s believed that your immune system overreacts and releases different chemicals, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These compounds usually promote healing, but they can also cause inflammation. Topical corticosteroids work by preventing your skin cells from making and releasing these chemicals. Skin cells are part of your body’s immune system.

Desonide usually starts working within a few days. The length of time you’ll need to continue desonide treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. To relieve skin inflammation and itchiness, desonide lotion, cream, or ointment is usually prescribed for up to 2 weeks. To treat eczema, desonide gel is usually prescribed for up to 4 weeks.

If your symptoms aren’t easing with desonide treatment, call your doctor. They can help determine whether you should keep using the drug.

If you’d like to know more about what to expect with desonide treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions and warnings for desonide

Below, you’ll find information about desonide’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of desonide

Desonide isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. Interactions can affect how a drug works. But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with desonide won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with desonide.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with desonide. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for desonide

Some people should not use desonide, and others should use it cautiously.

Desonide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether desonide is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of desonide you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for desonide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Desonide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to desonide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe desonide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to desonide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of desonide

If you apply desonide, you should not apply it more often or on areas other than where your doctor prescribes. Desonide can be absorbed into your system through your skin, so doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you accidentally took desonide by mouth or got it in a mucous membrane such as your eye, rinse it out and call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and desonide

Information about desonide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Desonide and pregnancy

It’s not known whether desonide should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Desonide and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether desonide should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Uses of desonide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as desonide for certain conditions. Approved uses for desonide are described below.

Use for certain skin conditions

Doctors may prescribe desonide topical lotion, cream, or ointment to relieve symptoms of skin inflammation (swelling) and itchiness. Topical products are applied to the skin. Desonide is used for this purpose in adults. It’s prescribed as a short-term treatment, usually for up to 2 weeks.

Certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis and contact dermatitis, can cause skin inflammation and itchiness. With these conditions, your immune system overreacts and causes symptoms affecting your skin, such as:

• rash
• redness or discoloration
• swelling
• itching

Use for eczema

Doctors may prescribe desonide topical gel to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, a skin condition commonly known as eczema. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 3 months and older. It’s prescribed as a short-term treatment, usually for up to 4 weeks.

With eczema, the skin becomes dry, rough, itchy, and inflamed. Certain triggers can cause eczema symptoms to flare up, such as stress or exposure to scented skin products.  

Side effects of desonide

Desonide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of desonide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about desonide’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for desonide listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of desonide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of desonide you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about desonide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for desonide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Desonide topical cream’s mild side effects include:

• application site reaction, such as burning, stinging, and itching
• skin rash
• inflamed (swollen) hair follicles
• mild allergic reaction*

Desonide topical lotion’s mild side effects include:

• application site reaction, such as burning, stinging, and itching
• skin rash
• worsening of your condition
• skin dryness or scaliness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for desonide” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of desonide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of desonide you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about desonide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for desonide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, desonide’s serious side effects include:

• infection
• skin thinning
• skin peeling
• lightening of skin tone
• severe allergic reaction*

For desonide cream, the following serious side effects may also occur when applied over large areas for longer treatment courses:

• high blood sugar
• decreased liver function

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for desonide” section.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about desonide or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long can I use desonide for?
• Does bandaging or covering the skin treated with desonide increase the drug’s side effects?
• What should I do if desonide doesn’t work for me?

Resources

• Desonide cream. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c3420815-e9d8-4c19-b601-b918b0aa1f84/spl-doc
• Desonide gel. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d917e02a-ad68-661d-e053-2995a90aeb91/spl-doc
• Desonide lotion. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/90f27c9b-5c9e-4152-9ddf-659231ca993a/spl-doc
• Desonide ointment. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9eade7ae-effc-49b5-af7d-8caa183ff252/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Gabros S, et al. (2023). Topical corticosteroids. (2023). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532940/

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.