ABSTRACT
Steroid skin creams are graded by potency from mild (grade IV) to very potent (grade I). Potency Examples IV Mild Hydrocortisone 0.5% and 1% (‘Cobadex’, ‘Dioderm’,
‘Efcortelan’, ‘Hydrocortistab’, Hydrocortisyl’, ‘Mildison’) Fluocinolone 0.0025% (‘Synalar 1:10’)
III Moderate Clobetasone 0.05% (‘Eumovate’ Hydrocortisone/urea mixtures (‘Alphaderm’, ‘Calmurid’,
‘Epifoam’) Alclometasone 0.05% (‘Morasone’) Betamethasone 0.05% (‘Diprosone’) Betamethasone 0.025% (‘Betnovate RD’) Fluocinolone 0.00625% (‘Synalar 1:4’) Flurandrenolone 0.0125% (‘Haelan’)
II Potent Betamethasone 0.1% (‘Betnovate’) Beclomethasone 0.025% (‘Propaderm’) Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% (‘Locoid’) Budesonide 0.025% (‘Preferid’) Desoxymethasone 0.25% (‘Steidex’) Fluocinolone 0.025% (‘Synalar’) Fluocinonide 0.05% (‘Metosyn’) Triamcinolone 0.1% (‘Adcortyl’)
I Very potent Clobetasol 0.05% (‘Dermovate’) Groups III and IV are rarely associated with side effects , but I and II can
lead both to local side effects and can be systemically absorbed. Local side effects from topical corticosteroids include: spreading of infection in the skin; thinning of the skin; irreversible striae atrophica; increased hair growth; perioral dermatitis of the face; acne; and mild depigmentation and vellus hair;
These effects are especially severe in children, and potency I and II steroids should be avoided in paediatric treatment or used with great care for short periods only.
