ABSTRACT
Systemic steroids have a very limited use in the treatment of skin disease and are best restricted to use by a dermatologist. It is better to refer such a patient for an urgent dermatological opinion than to start him on prednisone. The patient should be made aware of which of these categories their skin disease is, so that they have a better idea of response to treatment and prognosis. The function of the base is to transport the active constituent into the skin so that it is delivered to where it is needed. Pastes are a mixture of a powder in an ointment. They stay where the reader put them and do not spread away from that site as the skin warms up - like creams and ointments do. Due to the lightweight feel and the absence of an oily phase, gels are popular as moisturisers, for delivering the active ingredients in the treatment of acne vulgaris and psoriasis.
