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Eczema Steroids Treatments

Procedure
Non-steroid Prescription Medication
Investigational
Supplements and Natural Remedies
Over-the-counter medicine
Off-label
Age
Eczema Severity Level
Max Side Effects Tolerated
Featured Steroids Treatments
Other Steroids Treatments
  • Betamethasone
    Betamethasone (Betamethasone)
    Who is this for?:
    If you respond to corticosteroids
    If you are 13 or older and responds to corticosteroids
    Effectiveness:
    Side Effects:
    Medium
    Cost:
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    Delivery:
    Topical 1-2 daily
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    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    Betamethasone is effective at reducing inflammation and symptoms of eczema, with studies showing 76-94% of patients experiencing significant improvement within 2-3 weeks of treatment.
    Summary:
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    While betamethasone provides quick relief, long-term use may damage the skin barrier and cause skin thinning. It's better suited for short-term treatment of severe flares rather than long-term maintenance therapy.
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    When combined with antibacterial agents like fusidic acid, betamethasone is more effective at treating infected eczema, eliminating 67% of bacteria compared to 51% with betamethasone alone.
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    Alternative treatments like tacrolimus or pimecrolimus may be better for long-term use as they improve skin barrier function without causing the skin thinning associated with betamethasone.
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  • Elocon
    Elocon (Mometasone)
    Who is this for?:
    If you respond to corticosteroids
    If you respond to corticosteroids and need short-term relief through a very strong steroid
    Effectiveness:
    Side Effects:
    Medium
    Cost:
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    Delivery:
    Topical daily
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    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    Mometasone furoate cream is effective in treating atopic dermatitis, with success rates ranging from 80% to 90%. It can be used once daily, making it convenient for patients.
    Summary:
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    The treatment is generally safe, especially in children. In studies, it showed minimal side effects and didn't affect children's growth when used as directed. Morning cortisol levels remained normal in most cases, indicating minimal impact on the body's hormone system.
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    Long-term intermittent use (2-3 times per week) can help prevent disease recurrence. In one study, 83% of patients using it three times per week had no recurrences, compared to only 26% of those who stopped treatment completely.
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    The effectiveness of mometasone can be enhanced when combined with other treatments. For example, using it with wet wrap dressings or skin repair masks showed better results than using mometasone alone.
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  • Kenalog
    Kenalog (Triamcinolone acetonide)
    Who is this for?:
    If you are looking for short-term relief through a potent topical corticosteroid
    If you are looking for short-term relief through a potent topical corticosteroid
    Effectiveness:
    Side Effects:
    Medium
    Cost:
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    Delivery:
    Topical 1-2 daily
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    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    Triamcinolone acetonide is effective at reducing inflammation and improving symptoms of atopic dermatitis, with significant improvements seen within 2-4 weeks of treatment
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    The medication is equally effective whether used as a cream or ointment with wet wraps, so patients can choose the form they prefer. While ointments were harder to apply, patients often preferred them for future use
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    Triamcinolone acetonide appears to be safe, with only minor local reactions reported in a small number of patients (around 4-6% of users)
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    Surprisingly, even very low doses of triamcinolone acetonide (40 times lower than typical commercial products) can be effective at reducing inflammation in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis
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  • Hydrocortisone cream
    Hydrocortisone cream (Hydrocortisone)
    Who is this for?:
    For temporary relief of itch and rashes
    For temporary relief of itch and rashes
    Effectiveness:
    Side Effects:
    Medium
    Cost:
    $10 per month
    Delivery:
    Topical 1-4 daily
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    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    Topical corticosteroids are effective as a first-line treatment for atopic dermatitis, with studies showing significant improvement in symptoms within weeks of proper use
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    Potent (stronger) topical corticosteroids may be more effective than mild ones for moderate flare-ups, showing better symptom improvement and quality of life scores over 24 weeks
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    The method of applying topical steroids (whether to wet or dry skin) does not significantly affect treatment outcomes, suggesting flexibility in application methods
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  • Fluocinonide
    Fluocinonide (Fluocinonide)
    Who is this for?:
    If you need a strong topical steroid
    If you need a strong topical steroid
    Effectiveness:
    Side Effects:
    Medium
    Cost:
    Share Cost of Medication
    Delivery:
    Topical daily
    See Evidence
    Discuss with a Dermatologist
    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    Fluocinonide cream is effective at treating atopic dermatitis, with studies showing significant improvement in symptoms like itching and rash severity within 2 weeks of treatment. In one study, itching decreased by 79% and overall severity decreased by 76%.
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    Once-daily application of fluocinonide appears to be as effective as twice-daily use, with a lower risk of side effects. The medication is generally well-tolerated, though some patients may experience mild burning sensation during the first few days of use.
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    Short-term use (2-3 weeks) of fluocinonide actually helps improve the skin barrier function in people with atopic dermatitis, though long-term use should be avoided as it can cause skin thinning.
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    Studies show fluocinonide is more effective than some other topical steroids like halcinonide for treating atopic dermatitis.
  • Prednisone
    Prednisone (Prednisone)
    Who is this for?:
    If you're open to steroids and topical treatments haven't worked for you
    If you're open to steroids and growth suppression is not a concern
    Effectiveness:
    Side Effects:
    Medium
    Cost:
    Share Cost of Medication
    Delivery:
    Oral daily
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    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    Oral prednisolone is not recommended as a first-line treatment for severe adult eczema. In a direct comparison study, ciclosporin was found to be significantly more effective than prednisolone for treating severe eczema in adults.
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    Topical forms of prednisolone (like methylprednisolone aceponate) can be effective for treating eczema flares and preventing relapses. When used twice weekly along with moisturizers, it reduced the risk of flares by 87% over 16 weeks.
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    Topical methylprednisolone aceponate provides fast itch relief, with patients experiencing significant reduction in itching within 1-2 days of starting treatment.
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    In children and adolescents with severe eczema, topical methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1% was found to be as effective as tacrolimus 0.03% for overall improvement, and better for reducing itch and improving sleep. It also had fewer side effects and lower cost.
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