What do topical steroids do

If there is no improvement after days, a stronger topical steroid is usually then prescribed. For severe flare-ups a very strong topical steroid may be prescribed from the outset. Sometimes two or more preparations of different strengths are used at the same time.

For example, a mild steroid for the face and a moderately strong steroid for eczema on the thicker skin of the arms or legs. A very strong topical steroid is often needed for eczema on the palms and soles of the feet of adults because these areas have thick skin. You should use topical steroids until the flare-up has completely gone and then stop using them. In many cases, a course of treatment for days is enough to clear a flare-up of eczema.

In some cases, a longer course is needed. Many people with eczema require a course of topical steroids every now and then to clear a flare-up. The frequency of flare-ups and the number of times a course of topical steroids is needed vary greatly from person to person.

After you finish a course of topical steroid, continue to use moisturisers emollients every day to help prevent a further flare-up.

See the separate leaflet called Moisturisers for Eczema Emollients for more details. For adults, a short course usually three days of a strong topical steroid may be an option to treat a mild-to-moderate flare-up of eczema.

A strong topical steroid often works quicker than a mild one. This is in contrast to the traditional method of using the lowest strength wherever possible. However, studies have shown that using a high strength for a short period can be more convenient and is thought to be safe. Some people have frequent flare-ups of eczema. For example, a flare-up may subside well with topical steroid therapy.

Then, within a few weeks, a flare-up returns. In this situation, one option that might help is to apply steroid cream on the usual sites of flare-ups for two days every week. This is often called weekend therapy. This aims to prevent a flare-up from occurring. In the long run, it can mean that the total amount of topical steroid used is less than if each flare-up were treated as and when it occurred. You may wish to discuss this option with your doctor.

Topical steroids are usually applied once a day sometimes twice a day - your doctor will advise. Gently rub a small amount see 'Getting the dose right - the fingertip unit', below on to areas of skin which are inflamed.

This is different to moisturisers emollients which should be applied liberally all over. Gently rub the cream or ointment into the skin until it has disappeared. Then wash your hands unless your hands are the treated area. The amount of topical steroid that you should apply is commonly measured by fingertip units FTUs. One FTU is the amount of topical steroid that is squeezed out from a standard tube along an adult's fingertip.

This assumes the tube has a standard 5 mm nozzle. A fingertip is from the very end of the finger to the first crease in the finger. One FTU is enough to treat an area of skin twice the size of the flat of an adult's hand with the fingers together.

Two FTUs are about the same as 1 g of topical steroid. For example, say you treat an area of skin the size of eight adult hands. You will need four FTUs for each dose. This is 2 g per dose. So if the dose is once a day, a 30 g tube should last for about 15 days of treatment. An FTU of cream or ointment is measured on an adult index finger before being rubbed on to a child. Again, one FTU is used to treat an area of skin on a child equivalent to twice the size of the flat of an adult's hand with the fingers together.

You can gauge the amount of topical steroid to use by using your adult hand to measure the amount of skin affected on the child. From this you can work out the amount of topical steroid to use. Most people with eczema will also use emollients. Emollients are different to topical steroids and should be used and applied in a different way.

When using the two treatments, apply the emollient first. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads.

Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Topical steroids are an easy way to treat our largest and most accessible organ: the skin. They are today considered the mainstay treatment of many dermatologic conditions since they can be applied directly to the affected area and have fewer side effects compared to oral steroids.

While topical steroids can work extremely well, treatment can sometimes be lengthy and demand diligence in ensuring that you use the drug on time and as directed. Topical steroids are available in one of seven different classes. Topical steroids are available in ointments, creams, lotions, gels, and even powders. While ointments are the most potent of the five, others may be more appropriate to certain conditions. For instance, since powders are good at absorbing moisture and covering large areas of skin, they may be better for treating conditions like foot fungus or diaper rash.

In terms of popularity, topical creams are often the first choice for consumers. Corticosteroids should not be confused with anabolic steroids. Topical corticosteroids cannot cure these conditions, but can help relieve the symptoms.

Most adults and children can use topical corticosteroids safely, but there are situations when they are not recommended. Most topical corticosteroids are considered safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, you should wash off any steroid cream applied to your breasts before feeding your baby.

Very potent topical corticosteroids are not usually prescribed for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for very young children. Sometimes you may be prescribed them under the supervision of a skincare specialist dermatologist. Unless instructed otherwise by your doctor, follow the directions on the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine. This will give details of how much to apply and how often.

Most people only need to use the medicine once or twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks. Occasionally a doctor may suggest using it less frequently over a longer period of time.

The medicine should only be applied to affected areas of skin. Gently smooth a thin layer onto your skin in the direction the hair grows. If you're using both topical corticosteroids and emollients , you should apply the emollient first. Then wait about 30 minutes before applying the topical corticosteroid. Sometimes, the amount of medicine you're advised to use will be given in fingertip units FTUs.