The short answer
- Right now: spit out, rinse your mouth several times with water, and drink a glass of water.
- Usually harmless: a toothbrush-sized amount of 0.5–1% hydrocortisone contains only a few milligrams of steroid, less than a single oral hydrocortisone tablet.
- Call for advice (Australia 13 11 26, US 1-800-222-1222, UK NHS 111) for children, combination products (with lidocaine, pramoxine, antibiotics or antifungals), larger amounts, or any symptoms.
How much steroid did you get?
A 1% cream contains 10 mg of hydrocortisone per gram. A strip of “toothpaste” on a brush is roughly 0.5–1 g, so about 5–10 mg of hydrocortisone, most of which you spit out. For comparison, doctors prescribe 10–20 mg hydrocortisone tablets several times a day for adrenal insufficiency. A one-off exposure like this doesn’t cause steroid side effects. You may notice an unpleasant taste or mild stomach upset from the cream base.
| Product in the tube |
Extra concern |
What to do |
| Hydrocortisone 0.5–1% cream or ointment |
Minimal |
Rinse; no further action for most adults |
| Hydrocortisone with lidocaine or pramoxine (haemorrhoid, itch creams) |
Numbness of mouth and throat; choking risk while numb |
Rinse; don’t eat or drink hot things until feeling returns; call for advice if a child or large amount |
| Hydrocortisone with an antibiotic or antifungal (e.g. clotrimazole, miconazole) |
Low for a small amount |
Rinse; call for advice if unsure |
| Stronger steroids (betamethasone, clobetasol) |
Still low for a single small exposure |
Rinse; call for advice |
| Other tubes (fluorouracil, zinc oxide, nappy creams, adhesive) |
Varies; some are toxic |
Call a poisons centre with the tube |
If a child swallowed it
Children explore tubes, and the amount matters more for a small body. Wipe their mouth, give a drink of water, and call a poisons information centre with the tube in hand so they can check the ingredients and the likely amount. Most small tastes of hydrocortisone cream need no treatment, but combination products and other creams can be a different story. Don’t make the child vomit.
Symptoms worth reporting
Seek advice if there is ongoing vomiting, a swollen mouth or tongue, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a rash, drowsiness, or anything unusual after a mix-up, and call an ambulance for breathing difficulty.
How to prevent tube mix-ups
- Keep medicines out of the bathroom cup and away from the toothpaste.
- Choose medicine tubes that look different, or mark them with a coloured band.
- Store medicated creams in a separate, child-resistant cupboard.
- Turn the light on and read the tube, especially at night.
How to use steroid creams safely (strengths, fingertip units, face and children) is explained in the skin treatments guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can hydrocortisone cream damage my teeth or gums?
No. A single exposure won’t damage teeth or gums. Rinse well and brush with toothpaste afterwards.
Will it affect my blood sugar or blood pressure?
Not from a single small exposure. Steroid effects on blood sugar and pressure come from regular, larger doses.
Is there a hydrocortisone product meant for the mouth?
Yes. Hydrocortisone mucoadhesive buccal tablets (for mouth ulcers) are made for oral use. Skin creams are not designed for the mouth but are not dangerous in small accidental amounts.
Sources and further reading
CanforaMedicine Guide
