OTC Creams Are Not Harmless – What We See in Clinic Every Week

 OTC Creams Are Not Harmless – What We See in Clinic Every Week

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Ask anyone with a skin issue, and you’ll hear this:

“Ek cream pharmacy se le li thi… theek toh ho gaya tha pehle.”

Or,

“Mujhe kisi ne MOMATE, BETNOVATE, or PANDERM lagane ko bola tha – kaafi log use karte hain.”

But here’s the truth:

Every week, in our clinic, we see burned, thinned, damaged skin — all thanks to these over-the-counter (OTC) creams.

So, let’s talk about what these creams really do, and why using them without proper advice can ruin your skin.

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❓ What Are OTC Creams?

These are creams you can buy from a medical shop without a doctor’s prescription.

Most people think:

“Cream hi toh hai, kya hi nuksaaan karegi?”

But many of these creams contain strong steroids, antibiotics, or antifungal combinations — and they’re NOT meant for casual use.

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🧴 The Most Common Problem Creams We See

• Betnovate / Tenovate / Momate / Lobate – Steroid creams

• Panderm / Quadriderm / Candid-B / Dermi-5 – Steroid + Antifungal + Antibiotic

• Skinlite / Melalite / Glyco-6 – Pigmentation creams (can cause peeling/burning if misused)

These creams were never meant to be used without a doctor watching your skin closely.

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🚨 What Happens When You Use Them Unsupervised?

Here’s what we deal with regularly in clinic:

1. Steroid-Damaged Skin (Face especially)

• Thinning, red patches

• Visible blood vessels

• Sudden acne eruptions

• Skin becoming addicted to the cream (gets worse when stopped)

2. Steroid-Fungal Reaction (Ringworm gone wrong)

• People apply steroid mix cream on ringworm = it hides symptoms temporarily

• But fungus grows deeper and stronger

• When they finally visit us, it’s a severe, hard-to-treat fungal infection

3. Pigmentation Gone Worse

• Someone used a fairness or pigmentation cream from a friend

• It worked for 2 weeks — then left burns, peeling, and darker spots

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👨‍⚕️ What Dr. Rizwan Wants You to Know:

“In 7 out of 10 patients who walk in with pigmentation, itching, or facial damage — they’ve already used an OTC cream.

Most people don’t know these creams are not ‘safe for all.’

Skin may look fine in the beginning, but damage keeps happening inside.”

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🧠 Here’s Why You Should Think Twice Before Using Any Cream

Wrong Cream Use	Hidden Ingredient	Long-term Problem
Used on face pimples	Steroid	Makes skin thin, sensitive, acne-prone
Used on ringworm	Steroid + antifungal	Fungal infection worsens
Used for fairness	Hydroquinone, glycolic acid	Can cause chemical burns
Used on kids	Steroid	Can damage child’s skin barrier

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✅ What You Should Do Instead

• Always ask a skin doctor before applying any cream, especially on the face

• Don’t use someone else’s prescription — what helped them may hurt you

• If a pharmacist suggests something, double-check the ingredients or show it to a doctor

• Don’t judge creams by packaging – many look like regular moisturizers but contain strong drugs

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Final Words:

The problem isn’t creams — the problem is using the wrong ones, in the wrong way, without the right advice.

So next time before buying that “cream someone suggested”, ask yourself:

Is this small shortcut worth damaging your skin for months?

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📍If you’re facing itching, redness, pigmentation, or a rash after using any cream —

Visit Dr. Rizwan’s Skin Cosmetic and Laser Clinic, Shahjahanpur.

We’ll check the damage and guide you the right way — no blame, just proper care.

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💬 Comment below:

Have you ever used an OTC cream that made your skin worse? What was it?

Your story may save someone else’s skin.