Things To Know About Corticosteroids
Things To Know About Corticosteroids
Los Angeles pharmacy, Topical steroids
You might have spotted a lot of corticosteroid (“steroid”) creams, ointments, and lotions on your most recent trip to the drugstore. You might even have a tube or two in your home’s medication cabinet for itchy skin. In the field of skin health, topical steroids are among the most often recommended drugs. However, there is a lot of false information concerning topical steroids and their safe use.
As a Los Angeles pharmacy, we will tell facts from fiction in this article. We’ll go through the variations among topical steroids, the diseases they treat, and why you should always use them according to the instructions.
Topical Steroids Are Used To Treat A Variety Of Medical Disorders
Many common skin diseases are first treated with topical steroids. They can be used to treat disorders including eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis in both children and adults.
Other medical issues that topical steroids can help with include:
- Alopecia areata
- Vitiligo
- Canker sores that are recurring
- Hemorrhoids
- Radiation burns following radiation therapy
- Lichen planus, an inflammatory condition that affects your mouth or skin
Most Topical Corticosteroids Require A Prescription
A prescription is required for the majority of topical steroids. There are numerous formulations and dosages available for these drugs. Examples include:
- Hydrocortisone at a concentration of more than 1%
- Hydrocortisone used with other topical medicines
- Betamethasone
- Clobetasol
- Fluocinolone
- Mometasone
- Triamcinolone
Only use the recommended dosage of the medication at each dose. However, occasionally the written instructions are not clear. The fingertip unit (FTU) approach is one way to determine how much product to use. Squeezing cream or ointment from the tip of your index finger to its first crease equals one FTU.
It’s common to only require one FTU for a variety of drugs. However, the amount of product you require may fluctuate based on the area of your skin that is affected. To avoid using too much, be careful to ask your doctor or pharmacist how much to apply.
Topical Steroids Lessen Inflammation And Swelling
Steroids applied topically can treat skin disorders in a variety of ways. For example:
- They reduce inflammation. Anti-inflammatory products stop the molecules that trigger inflammation and aid in reducing edema.
- They inhibit cell division. This indicates that they reduce the growth of new skin cells. In disorders like psoriasis, this can help manage skin lesions and get rid of scales.
- They suppress the immune system. This indicates that they reduce your body’s immunological response. This is helpful when the immune system is in overdrive due to illnesses like eczema.