In medical practice for external therapy, hormonal drugs have been used since the middle of the last century. The effect exceeded all expectations. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis as a result of treatment disappeared quite quickly. However, as further practice has shown, corticosteroid ointments bring only short-term relief with subsequent relapse, and are also addictive. After treatment with Sinalar, the resumption of psoriasis symptoms was observed in 90% of patients on days 3-28.
That is why specialists today with great care prescribe such drugs for topical use and recommend only short-term course treatment. As the condition improves, the dose of the drug is reduced, and then completely canceled.
It is strongly not recommended to use corticosteroid ointments on large areas of the skin.
With prolonged use, the following side effects of the drugs are possible: decreased immunity, increased blood pressure, loss of potassium and, as a result, the development of osteoporosis, growth retardation, brittle bones, decreased adrenal function.
Corticosteroid ointments - names and brief characteristics
Sinalar (Great Britain) in composition is as close as possible to Dexamethasone and Prednisolone. It is especially effective in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses, even for those cases when other corticosteroid ointments did not give the necessary results.
Method of application: application under a plastic film, with the replacement of applications every 2-3 days. The duration of use of the drug, as a rule, does not exceed one month. One-time use of ointment is also allowed.
Lacacorten (Switzerland) is close to Sinalar in pharmacology. It has anti-inflammatory effect, reduces itching. The drug is applied in a thin layer under an occlusive dressing. The duration of the course is one to two weeks.
Lokasalen - combines the components of the previous drug and salicylic acid at a concentration of 3%. The course of treatment is 30-40 days.
Ultralan is superior to Sinalar in its anti-inflammatory effect and is more convenient to use. The maximum course of therapy is three weeks.
Apulein (from Gideon Richter, Hungary) is available in the form of creams and ointments. The active substance budesonitis quickly penetrates the skin and is easily excreted. Studies show that this drug is less likely to have a side effect on the body, in comparison with its analogues.
Glucocorticosteroid ointments in pediatrics
Hormone-containing drugs almost always cause some concern in parents. Doctors assure that you should not be afraid of such treatment. With impeccable adherence to the doctor's recommendations, a new generation of corticosteroid ointments does not pose any threat to the health of the child. However, it must be remembered that uncontrolled use of the drug is unacceptable. Self-medication in this case can significantly aggravate the patient's condition, leading to an increase in relapse.
Hormonal ointments are used in exceptional cases, if the other types of treatment have not yielded results.
Conventionally, corticosteroid ointments can be divided into three groups: potent (Dermoveyt), medium (Celestoderm, Flucinar, Beloderm), and weak (Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone).
Such drugs are used for a short course, with a gradual decrease in the dose of the drug.
For example, the first days the amount of ointment should be the size of a pea. The skin is lubricated twice a day. Then the amount of funds is halved. The next step is to use the ointment once a day.
To further reduce the concentration of the drug, the medicine is mixed with a baby cream, first in half, then two-thirds, and so on, until it is completely canceled.
It is recommended to start treatment with weaker means.
The above diagram is approximate. Specific recommendations can only be given by a doctor.