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Selection of an effective topical corticosteroid
1FRACGP, FRNZCGP, ProfDip (Skin Cancer Surg), ProfDip (Gen Derm), Primary Care Practitioner, Qld.
Background:
There are different topical corticosteroid (TCS) agents and potencies available to treat various dermatological disorders. There have been a number of publications on steroid phobia among general practitioners and patients, resulting in non-adherence and unresolved skin conditions, affecting patients' quality of life and healthcare costs.
Objective:
The aim of this article is to discuss the process of selection of TCS for the treatment of a particular condition.
Discussion:
It is crucial to choose the correct potency of TCS for treatment to avoid steroid phobia and undertreated conditions. TCS agents have different formulations, percentages and molecular structures, which affect potency, efficacy and effect. The adverse effects from TCS treatment are rare if the agent is correctly selected and applied. Patients can generally be treated effectively - without undesirable effects, steroid phobia and undertreated conditions - by factoring in patient and lesion characteristics, topical medication potency and method of application.
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