Topical corticosteroids. Which drug and when?

A number of factors have to be taken into account when dealing with the treatment of skin diseases with topical corticosteroids, including disease type and phase, potency of the drug, safety, site to be treated, age of the patient, and drug formulation. Concerning the specific indications for topical corticosteroid treatment, we can distinguish skin diseases in which: (a) topical corticosteroids are the treatment of choice; (b) topical corticosteroids are useful as alternative and/or adjuvant treatment; (c) the proposed use of topical corticosteroids has to be confirmed as useful; and (d) topical corticosteroids can be used as a symptomatic treatment. Within these groups, the treatment schedule has to be adjusted according to the above mentioned general factors.