STL Index for: corticosteroids

Corticosteroids have dominated the class of anti-inflammatory agents for the past 50 years. In the last ten years, new corticosteroids have been developed for topical use. Characteristics common to these several chemically different corticosteroids are their class III, or high potency designation and their improved safety profile.

This review concentrates on those drugs which have been clearly shown, or are widely reputed, to make psoriasis worse. There is insufficient clinical evidence to justify the inclusion of many drugs which have been included in published lists of drugs said to exacerbate psoriasis.

Estimates of the percentage of patients with cutaneous lichen planus (LP) who also have oral LP vary from somewhere between a third and a half 1-3, to as high as 70% and even higher when the cutaneous lesions are of long duration.

A review of the history surrounding the Skin-Cap controversy as it unfolded.

Various treatment modalities for the treatment of scalp psoriasis are considered, as well as their upsides and downsides. A list of practical tips in management are also provided.