Topical steroids are the topical forms of

corticosteroid Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are involv ...

s. Topical steroids are the most commonly prescribed

topical medication A topical medication is a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Most often topical medication means application to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes ...

s for the treatment of

rash A rash is a change of the human skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cr ...

eczema Dermatitis is inflammation of the Human skin, skin, typically characterized by itchiness, erythema, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become lichenification, thick ...

, and

dermatitis Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved can v ...

. Topical steroids have

anti-inflammatory Anti-inflammatory is the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation or swelling. Anti-inflammatory drugs, also called anti-inflammatories, make up about half of analgesics. These drugs remedy pain by reducing inflammation as o ...

properties and are classified based on their skin

vasoconstrictive Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels, in particular the large arteries and small arterioles. The process is the opposite of vasodilation, the widening of blood vessel ...

abilities. There are numerous topical steroid products. All the preparations in each class have the same anti-inflammatory properties but essentially differ in base and price. Side effects may occur from long-term topical steroid use.

Medical uses

Weaker topical steroids are utilized for thin- skinned and sensitive areas, especially areas under occlusion, such as the armpit, groin, buttock crease, and breast folds. Weaker steroids are used on the face, eyelids, diaper area,

perianal The anus (Latin, 'ring' or 'circle') is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, the residual semi-solid waste that remains after food digestion, which, d ...

skin, and intertrigo of the groin or body folds. Moderate steroids are used for

atopic dermatitis Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a long-term type of inflammation of the skin (dermatitis). It results in puritis, itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. Clear fluid may come from the affected areas, which often thickens o ...

nummular eczema Nummular dermatitis is one of the many forms of dermatitis. it is characterized by round or oval-shaped itchy lesions. The name comes from the Latin word " nummus," which means "coin." Signs and symptoms Nummular dermatitis is characterized by ch ...

, xerotic eczema, lichen sclerosis et atrophicus of the

vulva The vulva (plural: vulvas or vulvae; derived from Latin for wrapper or covering) consists of the external sex organ, female sex organs. The vulva includes the mons pubis (or mons veneris), labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, bulb of vestibu ...

scabies Scabies (; also sometimes known as the seven-year itch) is a contagious skin infestation by the mite ''Sarcoptes scabiei''. The most common symptoms are severe itchiness and a pimple-like rash. Occasionally, tiny burrows may appear on the skin ...

(after scabiecide) and severe

. Strong steroids are used for

psoriasis Psoriasis is a long-lasting, noncontagious autoimmune disease characterized by raised areas of abnormal skin. These areas are red, pink, or purple, dry, itchy, and scaly. Psoriasis varies in severity from small, localized patches to complete ...

lichen planus Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated disease that affects the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membranes. It is not an actual lichen, and is only named that because it looks like one. It is characterized by polygonal, fla ...

discoid lupus Discoid lupus erythematosus is the most common type of chronic cutaneous lupus (CCLE), an Autoimmune disease, autoimmune skin condition on the lupus erythematosus spectrum of illnesses. It presents with red, painful, inflamed and coin-shaped patch ...

, chapped feet,

lichen simplex chronicus Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) is thick leathery skin with exaggerated skin markings caused by sudden itching and excessive rubbing and scratching. It generally results in small bumps, patches, scratch marks and scale. It typically affects the ...

, severe poison ivy exposure,

alopecia areata Alopecia areata, also known as spot baldness, is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body. Often, it results in a few bald spots on the scalp, each about the size of a coin. Psychological stress and illness are po ...

, nummular eczema, and severe

in adults. To prevent

tachyphylaxis Tachyphylaxis (Greek ταχύς, ''tachys'', "rapid", and φύλαξις, ''phylaxis'', "protection") is a medical term describing an acute, sudden decrease in response to a drug after its administration; i.e. a rapid and short-term onset of drug to ...

, a topical steroid is often prescribed to be used on a week on, week off routine. Some recommend using the topical steroid for 3 consecutive days on, followed by 4 consecutive days off. Long-term use of topical steroids can lead to secondary infection with

fungus A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from th ...

bacteria Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were among ...

(see

tinea incognito Tinea incognita or Tinea incognito is a fungal infection of the skin masked and often exacerbated by application of a topical immunosuppressive agent. The usual agent is a topical corticosteroid. As the skin fungal infection has lost some of the ...

), skin atrophy,

telangiectasia Telangiectasias, also known as spider veins, are small dilated blood vessels that can occur near the surface of the skin or mucous membranes, measuring between 0.5 and 1 millimeter in diameter. These dilated blood vessels can develop anywhere on ...

(prominent blood vessels), skin bruising and fragility. The use of the

finger tip unit In medicine, a finger tip unit (FTU) is defined as the amount of ointment, cream or other semi-solid dosage form expressed from a tube with a 5 mm diameter nozzle, applied from the distal skin-crease to the tip of the index finger of an adult.F ...

may be helpful in guiding how much topical steroid is required to cover different areas of the body.

Adverse effects

Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis or HTPA axis) is a complex set of direct influences and feedback interactions among three components: the hypothalamus (a part of the brain located below the thalamus), the pituitary gland (a ...

(HPA) suppression *

Cushing's syndrome Cushing's syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms due to prolonged exposure to glucocorticoids such as cortisol. Signs and symptoms may include high blood pressure, abdominal obesity but with thin arms and legs, reddish stretch marks, ...

Diabetes mellitus Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass, micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility, and consequent increase in fracture risk. It is the most common reason for a broken bone ...

Topical steroid addiction Topical steroid withdrawal, also known as red burning skin and steroid dermatitis, has been reported in people who apply topical steroids for 2 weeks or longer and then discontinue use. Symptoms affect the skin and include redness, a burning sen ...

* Allergic

contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis is a type of acute or chronic inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to chemical or physical agents. Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include itchy or dry skin, a red rash, bumps, blisters, or swelling. These rashes are ...

(see steroid allergy) * Steroid atrophy *

Perioral dermatitis Perioral dermatitis, also known as periorificial dermatitis, is a common type of skin rash. Symptoms include multiple small (1–2 mm) bumps and blisters sometimes with background redness and scale, localized to the skin around the mouth and ...

: This is a rash that occurs around the mouth and the eye region that has been associated with topical steroids. * Ocular effects: Topical steroid drops are frequently used after

eye surgery Eye surgery, also known as ophthalmic or ocular surgery, is surgery performed on the eye or its adnexa, by an ophthalmologist or sometimes, an optometrist. Eye surgery is synonymous with ophthalmology. The eye is a very fragile organ, and requ ...

but can also raise

intraocular pressure Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the fluid pressure inside the eye. Tonometry is the method eye care professionals use to determine this. IOP is an important aspect in the evaluation of patients at risk of glaucoma. Most tonometers are calibrated to ...

(IOP) and increase the risk of

glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for fluid within the eye rem ...

cataract A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts often develop slowly and can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may include faded colors, blurry or double vision, halos around light, trouble w ...

retinopathy Retinopathy is any damage to the retina of the eyes, which may cause vision impairment. Retinopathy often refers to retinal vascular disease, or damage to the retina caused by abnormal blood flow. Age-related macular degeneration is technically inc ...

as well as systemic adverse effects. *

Tachyphylaxis Tachyphylaxis (Greek ταχύς, ''tachys'', "rapid", and φύλαξις, ''phylaxis'', "protection") is a medical term describing an acute, sudden decrease in response to a drug after its administration; i.e. a rapid and short-term onset of drug to ...

: The acute development of tolerance to the action of a drug after repeated doses. Significant tachyphylaxis can occur by day 4 of therapy. Recovery usually occurs after 3 to 4 days' rest. This has led to therapies such as 3 days on, 4 days off; or one week on therapy, and one week off therapy. * Delivery-related adverse effects *Other local adverse effects: These include facial

hypertrichosis Hypertrichosis is an abnormal amount of hair growth over the body. The two distinct types of hypertrichosis are generalized hypertrichosis, which occurs over the entire body, and localized hypertrichosis, which is restricted to a certain area. H ...

folliculitis Folliculitis is the infection and inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on hair-covered skin. The rash may appear as pimples that come to white tips on the face, chest, back, arms, legs, buttocks, or head. A ...

miliaria Miliaria, also called heat rash, sweat rash, or prickly heat, is a skin disease marked by small, itchy rashes due to sweat trapped under the skin by clogged sweat-gland ducts. Miliaria is a common ailment in hot and humid conditions, such as in ...

genital ulcer A genital ulcer is an open sore located on the genital area, which includes the vulva, penis, perianal region, or anus. Genital ulcers are most commonly caused by infectious agents (fungal infections, secondary bacterial infections, or sexually t ...

s, and granuloma gluteale infantum. Long-term use has resulted in Norwegian

Kaposi's sarcoma Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a type of cancer that can form masses in the skin, in lymph nodes, in the mouth, or in other organs. The skin lesions are usually painless, purple and may be flat or raised. Lesions can occur singly, multiply in a limite ...

, and other unusual dermatosis.

Safety in pregnancy

A 2015 meta-analysis of observational studies of pregnancies found no association between mothers' use of topical steroids and type of delivery, APGAR score, birth defects, or prematurity.

Classification systems

Seven-class System

The U.S. utilizes 7 classes, which are classified by their ability to constrict

capillaries A capillary is a small blood vessel from 5 to 10 micrometres (μm) in diameter. Capillaries are composed of only the tunica intima, consisting of a thin wall of simple squamous endothelial cells. They are the smallest blood vessels in the body: ...

and cause skin

blanching Blanch or blanching may refer to: People * Andrea Blanch (born 1935), portrait, commercial, and fine art photographer * Arnold Blanch (1896–1968), born and raised in Mantorville, Minnesota * Stuart Blanch, Baron Blanch (1918–1994), Anglican bi ...

. Class I is the strongest, or superpotent. Class VII is the weakest and mildest.

Class I

Very potent: up to 600 times stronger than

hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone is the name for the hormone cortisol when supplied as a medication. Uses include conditions such as adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenogenital syndrome, high blood calcium, thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, asthma, ...

Clobetasol propionate Clobetasol propionate is a corticosteroid used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. It is applied to the skin as a cream, ointment, or shampoo. Use should be short term and only if ot ...

0.05% (Dermovate) * Betamethasone dipropionate 0.25% (Diprolene) * Halobetasol propionate 0.05% (Ultravate, Halox) *

Diflorasone diacetate Diflorasone diacetate is a topical steroid that comes in the form of a cream. It is manufactured by E. Fougera & Co. and is used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-itching agent, like other topical corticosteroids. It is prescribed for psoriasis a ...

0.05% (Psorcon)

Class II

Fluocinonide Fluocinonide (sold under various brand names) is a potent glucocorticoid used topically as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of skin disorders such as eczema and seborrhoeic dermatitis. It relieves itching, redness, dryness, crusti ...

0.05% (Lidex) *

Halcinonide Halcinonide is a high potency corticosteroid, in group II (second most potent group) under US classification. It is used topical A topical medication is a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Most often topic ...

0.05% (Halog) *

Amcinonide Amcinonide (trade name Cyclocort) is a topical glucocorticoid used to treat itching, redness and swelling associated with several dermatologic conditions such as atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Amcinonide can also be classifi ...

0.05% (Cyclocort) * Desoximetasone 0.25% (Topicort)

Class III

Triamcinolone acetonide Triamcinolone acetonide, sold under the brand name Kenalog among others, is a synthetic corticosteroid medication used topically to treat various skin conditions, to relieve the discomfort of mouth sores, and by injection into joints to trea ...

0.5% (Kenalog, Aristocort cream) *

Mometasone furoate Mometasone, also known as mometasone y 3 s, is a steroid medication used to treat certain skin conditions, hay fever, and asthma. Specifically it is used to prevent rather than treat asthma attacks. It can be applied to the skin, inhaled, or use ...

0.1% (Elocon, Elocom ointment) *

Fluticasone propionate Fluticasone propionate, sold under the brand names Flovent and Flonase among others, is a steroid medication. When inhaled it is used for the long term management of asthma and COPD. In the nose it is used for hay fever and nasal polyps. It ...

0.005% (Cutivate) * Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% (Diprosone) * Halometasone 0.05%

Class IV

Fluocinolone acetonide Fluocinolone acetonide is a corticosteroid primarily used in dermatology to reduce skin inflammation and relieve itching. It is a synthetic hydrocortisone derivative. The fluorine substitution at position 9 in the steroid nucleus greatly enhances ...

0.01-0.2% (Synalar, Synemol, Fluonid) *

Hydrocortisone valerate Hydrocortisone valerate is a synthetic compound, synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid and a corticosteroid ester. References

Corticosteroid esters Glucocorticoids Valerate esters {{steroid-stub ...

0.2% (Westcort) *

Hydrocortisone butyrate Hydrocortisone butyrate is a corticosteroid that comes in one of the following forms: * '' Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate'' — * '' Hydrocortisone-21-butyrate'' — It is a group IV corticosteroid under US classification. See also * Cortisol ...

0.1% (Locoid) * Flurandrenolide 0.05% (Cordran) *

0.1% (Kenalog, Aristocort A ointment) *

0.1% (Elocon cream, lotion)

Class V

0.05% (Cutivate cream) *

Desonide Desonide (INN) is a low-potency topical corticosteroid anti-inflammatory that has been available since the 1970s. It is primarily used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and psoriasis Psoriasis is ...

0.05% (Tridesilon, DesOwen ointment) *

0.025% (Synalar, Synemol cream) *

Hydrocortisone valerate Hydrocortisone valerate is a synthetic compound, synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid and a corticosteroid ester. References

Corticosteroid esters Glucocorticoids Valerate esters {{steroid-stub ...

0.2% (Westcort cream)

Class VI

Alclometasone dipropionate Alclometasone dipropionate is a synthetic compound, synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid and a corticosteroid ester. References

Corticosteroid esters Glucocorticoids Propionate esters {{steroid-stub ...

0.05% (Aclovate cream, ointment) *

0.025% (Aristocort A cream, Kenalog lotion) *

0.01% (Capex shampoo, Dermasmooth) *

0.05% (DesOwen cream, lotion)

Class VII

The weakest class of topical steroids. Has poor lipid permeability, and can not penetrate mucous membranes well. *

Hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone is the name for the hormone cortisol when supplied as a medication. Uses include conditions such as adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenogenital syndrome, high blood calcium, thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, asthma, ...

2.5% (Hytone cream, lotion, ointment) *

1% (Many over-the-counter brands)

Five-class System

Japan rates topical steroids from 1 to 5, with 1 being strongest.

Four-class System

Many countries, such as the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

, the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

, recognize 4 classes. In the United Kingdom and New Zealand I is the strongest, while in

Continental Europe Continental Europe or mainland Europe is the contiguous continent of Europe, excluding its surrounding islands. It can also be referred to ambiguously as the European continent, – which can conversely mean the whole of Europe – and, by ...

, class IV is regarded as the strongest.

Class IV (UK/NZ: class I)

Very potent (up to 600 times as potent as hydrocortisone) *

(Dermovate Cream/Ointment, Exel Cream) * Betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone OV Cream/Ointment, Diprovate Cream)

Class III (UK/NZ: class II)

Potent (50–100 times as potent as hydrocortisone) * Betamethasone valerate (Beta Cream/Ointment/Scalp Application, Betnovate Lotion/C Cream/C Ointment, Fucicort) * Betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone Cream/Ointment, Diprovate Cream, Daivobet 50/500 Ointment) *

Diflucortolone valerate Diflucortolone valerate (also Nerisone cream/oily cream/ointment, Neriderm ointment, Japanese is a corticosteroid rated Class 2 "potent" (100-150 times) in the New Zealand topical steroid system. It is a white to creamy white crystalline powder. ...

(Nerisone C/Cream/Fatty Ointment/Ointment) *

Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate is a form of hydrocortisone butyrate. See also * Glucocorticoid Glucocorticoids (or, less commonly, glucocorticosteroids) are a class of corticosteroids, which are a class of steroid hormones. Glucocorticoids are ...

(Locoid C/Cream/Crelo Topical Emulsion/Lipocream/Ointment/Scalp Lotion) *

(Elocon Cream/Lotion/Ointment) *

Methylprednisolone aceponate Methylprednisolone aceponate, or methylprednisolone acetate propionate, sold under the brand names Advantan and Avancort, is a glucocorticoid and a corticosteroid ester—specifically the C17α propionate and C21 acetate diester of methylpredn ...

(Advantan Cream/Ointment) * Halometasone 0.05%

Class II (UK/NZ: class III)

Moderate (2–25 times as potent as hydrocortisone) *

Clobetasone butyrate Clobetasone butyrate is a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid and a corticosteroid ester Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these h ...

(Eumovate Cream) *

(Aristocort Cream/Ointment, Viaderm KC Cream/Ointment, Kenacomb Ointment)

Class I (UK/NZ: class IV)

Mild *Hydrocortisone 0.5–2.5% (DermAid Cream/Soft Cream, DP Lotion-HC 1%, Skincalm, Lemnis Fatty Cream HC, Pimafucort Cream/Ointment)

Allergy associations

The highlighted steroids are often used in the screening of

allergies Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, refer a number of conditions caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic derma ...

to topical steroid and systemic steroids. When one is allergic to one group, one is allergic to all steroids in that group.

Group A

, hydrocortisone acetate,

cortisone acetate Cortisone acetate (brand names Adreson, Cortison, Cortisone, Cortisone Acetate, Cortone, Cortistab, Cortisyl, others) is a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid and corticosteroid ester which is marketed (under prescription) in many countries ...

tixocortol pivalate Tixocortol pivalate is a corticosteroid. It has anti-inflammatory properties similar to hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone is the name for the hormone cortisol when supplied as a medication. Uses include conditions such as adrenocortical insuffi ...

prednisolone Prednisolone is a steroid medication used to treat certain types of allergies, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. Some of these conditions include adrenocortical insufficiency, high blood calcium, rheumatoid arthrit ...

methylprednisolone Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol, Medrol, Solu-Medrol) is a synthetic glucocorticoid, primarily prescribed for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. It is either used at low doses for chronic illnesses or used concomitantly at high ...

, and

prednisone Prednisone is a glucocorticoid medication mostly used to immunosuppressive drug, suppress the immune system and decrease inflammation in conditions such as asthma, COPD, and rheumatologic diseases. It is also used to treat high blood calcium ...

Group B

triamcinolone Triamcinolone is a glucocorticoid used to treat certain skin diseases, allergies, and rheumatic disorders among others. It is also used to prevent worsening of asthma and COPD. It can be taken in various ways including by mouth, injection into ...

alcohol,

amcinonide Amcinonide (trade name Cyclocort) is a topical glucocorticoid used to treat itching, redness and swelling associated with several dermatologic conditions such as atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Amcinonide can also be classifi ...

budesonide Budesonide, sold under the brand name Pulmicort among others, is a medication of the corticosteroid type. It is available as an inhaler, nebulization solution, pill, nasal spray, and rectal forms. The inhaled form is used in the long-term mana ...

desonide Desonide (INN) is a low-potency topical corticosteroid anti-inflammatory that has been available since the 1970s. It is primarily used to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and psoriasis Psoriasis is ...

fluocinonide Fluocinonide (sold under various brand names) is a potent glucocorticoid used topically as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of skin disorders such as eczema and seborrhoeic dermatitis. It relieves itching, redness, dryness, crusti ...

fluocinolone acetonide Fluocinolone acetonide is a corticosteroid primarily used in dermatology to reduce skin inflammation and relieve itching. It is a synthetic hydrocortisone derivative. The fluorine substitution at position 9 in the steroid nucleus greatly enhances ...

, and

halcinonide Halcinonide is a high potency corticosteroid, in group II (second most potent group) under US classification. It is used topical A topical medication is a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Most often topic ...

Group C

Betamethasone Betamethasone is a steroid medication. It is used for a number of diseases including rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, skin diseases such as dermatitis and psoriasis, allergic conditions such ...

, betamethasone sodium phosphate,

dexamethasone Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid medication used to treat rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, superior vena cav ...

, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and

fluocortolone Fluocortolone is a glucocorticoid used in the treatment of several conditions, including hemorrhoids. It is similar to fluocortin, but with one less keto group In organic chemistry, a ketone is a functional group with the structure R–C ...

Group D

-17-valerate,

alclometasone dipropionate Alclometasone dipropionate is a synthetic compound, synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid and a corticosteroid ester. References

Corticosteroid esters Glucocorticoids Propionate esters {{steroid-stub ...

, betamethasone valerate, betamethasone dipropionate,

prednicarbate Prednicarbate is a relatively new topical corticosteroid drug. It is similar in potency to hydrocortisone. Corticosteroids have always been an important part of the pharmacological arsenal of dermatology Dermatology is the branch of medicine d ...

, clobetasone-17-butyrate, Clobetasol-17 propionate,

fluocortolone caproate Fluocortolone is a glucocorticoid used in the treatment of several conditions, including hemorrhoids. It is similar to fluocortin, but with one less keto group. See also * Corticosteroids References

Glucocorticoids Organofluorides ...

, fluocortolone pivalate,

fluprednidene acetate Fluprednidene acetate (trade name Decoderm among others) is a moderately potent glucocorticoid used in form of a cream to treat skin inflammations such as atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Contraindications Similar to other corticoids, ...

, and

mometasone Mometasone, also known as mometasone y 3 s, is a steroid medication used to treat certain skin conditions, hay fever, and asthma. Specifically it is used to prevent rather than treat asthma attacks. It can be applied to the skin, inhaled, or use ...

furoate

History

Corticosteroids were first made available for general use around 1950.

References

{{Glucocorticoids Corticosteroids