Topical corticosteroids are used to relieve symptoms of skin inflammation, irritation and itching that are caused by inflammatory skin conditions. Conditions that can be treated with topical corticosteroids include:
- atopic eczema – an allergic skin condition
- contact dermatitis – where the skin becomes inflamed due to an adverse reaction to an irritant such as dust or an allergen (a substance that causes an allergic reaction), such as certain metals
- discoid lupus erythematosus – a type of lupus that usually only affects the skin (most people with the more common form of lupus have additional symptoms, such as fatigue and joint pain)
- more serious cases of nappy rash
- lichen planus – a poorly understood skin condition that causes an itchy, non-infectious rash
- skin irritation that has been caused by insect stings or insect bites
- psoriasis – dead skin cells build up on the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and cause symptoms such as red, flaky or crusty patches of skin that are covered with silvery scales
- seborrhoeic dermatitis – this causes the skin of the scalp and other parts of the body to become flaky, resulting in symptoms such as dandruff
