CORTICOSTEROID POTENCY

Patients often use preparations manufactured in other parts of the world and at times it is difficult to translate these foreign brand names and chemicals into our grading system. In addition, several super potent steroid shampoos are available that promise to help end scaliness of the scalp. These shampoos are only in contact with the scalp for a minute or two so I am uncertain if there is any residual left that would have long lasting treatment benefits. I do not prescribe these.

A cosmetic company has even incorporated corticosteroids into their creams without labeling them and a diaper cream manufacturer has used steroids without prescriptions. This will be discussed in a later blog.

Below is a list of the most commonly used topical steroids manufactured in the United States.

The desire to take medicine is perhaps the greatest feature that distinguishes man from animals.

William Osler

CLASS 7 – Least Potent

Cortaid Cream/Spray/Ointment
Hytone Cream/Lotion

CLASS 6 – Mild

Aclovate Cream/Ointment
Derma-Smoothe

CLASS 5 – Lower Mid-Strength

Cordran Cream/Lotion/Tape
DesOwen Lotion
Locoid Cream/Lotion/Ointment/Solution

CLASS 4 –Mid-Strength

Cordran Ointment
Kenalog Cream/Spray
Westcort Ointment

CLASS 3 – Upper Mid-Strength

Cutivate Ointment
Lidex-E Cream
Luxiq

CLASS 2 – Potent

Diprolene Cream AF
Elecon Ointment
Lidex Cream/Gel/Ointment
Topicort Cream/Ointment/Gel

CLASS 1 – Super Potent

Diprolene Ointment
Olux Foam
Temovate Cream/Ointment/Solution
Ultravate Cream/Ointment
Psorcon Ointment

By Dr Marvin Rapaport, MD|2021-10-19T03:16:58-07:00June 1st, 2015|Red Skin Syndrome Causes|Comments Off

About the Author: Dr Marvin Rapaport, MD

In 1978 I initiated and set up the contact and photo dermatitis clinic at UCLA. There was a need to evaluate a large group of patients who exhibited severe eczematoid rashes, especially on the face. Patients were referred from all over Southern California. All patients underwent a lengthy history and examination. Further evaluations included blood studies, allergy patch testing, special sunlight (photo) testing and skin biopsies. From the start it was apparent that most patients experienced a mild dermatitis on various parts of the body that progressively worsened. Their histories always included numerous doctor visits, multiple physicians, and therapy consisting of an increasing amount of corticosteroids. My testing failed to reveal any specific culprit chemicals, cosmetics, perfumes, workplace or recreational exposures. It became increasingly clear that the physician’s therapy, the corticosteroids, was invariably causing the problem. I wrote 7 scientific articles that were published in the most august peer-reviewed dermatologic journals and I gave many lectures at various dermatology meetings. To this day an unfortunate reluctance exists on the part of most physicians to accept this simple concept.