Eczema: topical steroids
August 28th, 2008 Posted in Dermatology
Use weakest steroid cream which controls patients symptoms
The table below shows topical steroids by potency
| Mild | Moderate | Potent | Very potent |
| Hydrocortisone 0.5-2.5% | Betamethasone valerate 0.025% (Betnovate RD)
Clobetasone butyrate 0.05% (Eumovate) |
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.025% (Propaderm)
Betamethasone valerate 0.1% (Betnovate) |
Clobetasone propionate 0.05% (Dermovate) |
Finger tip rule
- 1 finger tip unit (FTU) = 0.5 g, sufficient to treat a skin area about twice that of the flat of an adult hand
Topical steroid doses for eczema in adults
| Area of skin | Fingertip units per dose |
| Hand and fingers (front and back) | 1.0 |
| A foot (all over) | 2.0 |
| Front of chest and abdomen | 7.0 |
| Back and buttocks | 7.0 |
| Face and neck | 2.5 |
| An entire arm and hand | 4.0 |
| An entire leg and foot | 8.0 |