You should use topical steroids until the flare-up has completely gone and then stop using them. In many cases, a course of treatment for days is enough to clear a flare-up of eczema. In some cases, a longer course is needed. Many people with eczema require a course of topical steroids every now and then to clear a flare-up. The frequency of flare-ups and the number of times a course of topical steroids is needed vary greatly from person to person.
After you finish a course of topical steroid, continue to use moisturisers emollients every day to help prevent a further flare-up. See the separate leaflet called Moisturisers for Eczema Emollients for more details. For adults, a short course usually three days of a strong topical steroid may be an option to treat a mild-to-moderate flare-up of eczema.
A strong topical steroid often works quicker than a mild one. This is in contrast to the traditional method of using the lowest strength wherever possible. However, studies have shown that using a high strength for a short period can be more convenient and is thought to be safe.
Some people have frequent flare-ups of eczema. For example, a flare-up may subside well with topical steroid therapy. Then, within a few weeks, a flare-up returns. In this situation, one option that might help is to apply steroid cream on the usual sites of flare-ups for two days every week. This is often called weekend therapy. This aims to prevent a flare-up from occurring. In the long run, it can mean that the total amount of topical steroid used is less than if each flare-up were treated as and when it occurred.
You may wish to discuss this option with your doctor. Topical steroids are usually applied once a day sometimes twice a day - your doctor will advise. Gently rub a small amount see 'Getting the dose right - the fingertip unit', below on to areas of skin which are inflamed. This is different to moisturisers emollients which should be applied liberally all over. Gently rub the cream or ointment into the skin until it has disappeared.
Then wash your hands unless your hands are the treated area. The amount of topical steroid that you should apply is commonly measured by fingertip units FTUs. One FTU is the amount of topical steroid that is squeezed out from a standard tube along an adult's fingertip.
This assumes the tube has a standard 5 mm nozzle. A fingertip is from the very end of the finger to the first crease in the finger. One FTU is enough to treat an area of skin twice the size of the flat of an adult's hand with the fingers together.
Two FTUs are about the same as 1 g of topical steroid. For example, say you treat an area of skin the size of eight adult hands. You will need four FTUs for each dose. This is 2 g per dose. So if the dose is once a day, a 30 g tube should last for about 15 days of treatment. An FTU of cream or ointment is measured on an adult index finger before being rubbed on to a child. Again, one FTU is used to treat an area of skin on a child equivalent to twice the size of the flat of an adult's hand with the fingers together.
You can gauge the amount of topical steroid to use by using your adult hand to measure the amount of skin affected on the child.
From this you can work out the amount of topical steroid to use. Most people with eczema will also use emollients.
Emollients are different to topical steroids and should be used and applied in a different way. When using the two treatments, apply the emollient first. Then wait minutes before applying a topical steroid. The emollient should be allowed to sink in be absorbed before a topical steroid is applied. The skin should be moist or slightly tacky, but not slippery, when applying the steroid.
Short courses of topical steroids less than four weeks are usually safe and cause no problems. Problems may develop if topical steroids are used for long periods, or if short courses of stronger steroids are repeated often. Create a personalised ads profile.
Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Topical steroids are an easy way to treat our largest and most accessible organ: the skin.
They are today considered the mainstay treatment of many dermatologic conditions since they can be applied directly to the affected area and have fewer side effects compared to oral steroids. While topical steroids can work extremely well, treatment can sometimes be lengthy and demand diligence in ensuring that you use the drug on time and as directed.
Topical steroids are available in one of seven different classes. Topical steroids are available in ointments, creams, lotions, gels, and even powders. While ointments are the most potent of the five, others may be more appropriate to certain conditions. For instance, since powders are good at absorbing moisture and covering large areas of skin, they may be better for treating conditions like foot fungus or diaper rash. In terms of popularity, topical creams are often the first choice for consumers.
They can be used to treat a wider assortment of skin conditions and are especially useful in areas where there are heavy folds. Although creams are generally weaker than ointments, their ease of use and high rates of compliance offer advantages over other methods.
When using a topical steroid, the likelihood of treatment success is directly related to how stringently you follow instructions. It usually improves as your skin gets used to the treatment. Tell your doctor if this feeling continues.
This tends to occur with the potent or very potent topical steroids, if a plastic covering is used or if steroids are used often or long term.
It is less likely to occur with the mild or moderate topical steroids or if sterioids are only used for a short course. If it does occur, it often goes away when the treatment is stopped. Tell your doctor.
Permanent stretch marks Bruising Discolouration Thin spidery veins. These tend to occur with long-term use of topical steroids. Tell your doctor if troublesome. Mild steroids These are usually used to treat mild skin conditions such as inflammation redness associated with nappy rash or mild atopic eczema in children.
Moderate steroids Moderate topical steroids are 2 to 25 times as potent as hydrocortisone. Potent steroids Potent topical steroids are to times as potent as hydrocortisone. Very potent steroids Very potent topical steroids are up to times as potent as hydrocortisone.
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