Topical corticosteroids are used to relieve the symptoms of skin inflammation, irritation and itching caused by inflammatory skin conditions.
Eczema
Topical corticosteroids may be used to treat types of eczema, including:
- atopic eczema – an allergic skin condition
- contact dermatitis – where the skin becomes inflamed due to an adverse reaction to an irritant, such as dust or an allergen (a substance that causes an allergic reaction)
- discoid eczema – a long-term condition that causes skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked
Topical corticosteroids may also be prescribed to treat infected eczema, along with antibiotics.
Emollients are often prescribed to treat eczema and may be prescribed to use with topical corticosteroids if treating severe eczema.
Other conditions
Topical corticosteroids may also be used to treat:
- discoid lupus erythematosus – a type of lupus that usually only affects the skin
- serious cases of nappy rash
- lichen planus – a poorly understood skin condition that causes an itchy, non-infectious rash
- skin irritation caused by insect bites or stings
- psoriasis – causes dead skin cells to build up on the outer layer of skin, leading to red, flaky or crusty patches of skin
- seborrhoeic dermatitis – causes the skin to become flaky, leading to symptoms such as dandruff
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