Can steroid cream Soothes Infant Eczema?

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:37:35 +0000

Topical Steroid Cream is a popular drug that is also commonly known under the name of Fluocinonide. This drug, like any other topical steroids, is meant to reduce and to inhibit some of the actions that are attributed to harmful chemicals which are sometimes found in the human body. Topical Steroid Cream attacks chemicals that are known to cause swelling, redness and inflammation. These types of symptoms can be caused by several different medical conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and some allergic reactions.

Traditional treatments for infant eczema include avoiding potential skin irritants and keeping the skin adequately moisturized. Topical steroid creams are typically used only for short-term treatment of flare-ups. Long-term use of steroid creams in young children can cause deterioration or thinning of the skin.

The FDA approved Elidel in December 2001 but only for eczema patients 2 and older. It is the first cream of its type — giving doctors and people with eczema an option other than steroid creams.

In this study, published in the February 2003 issue of TheJournal of Pediatrics, 186 babies with mild to moderate eczema were randomly assigned to receive twice-daily applications of Elidel or a placebo cream.

After six weeks, twice as many children who were treated with Elidel were clear or almost clear of eczema compared with those on the placebo (55% versus 24%). Researchers say Elidel produced quick results, and there was a 37% increase in the number of infants whose condition cleared in the first 15 days of treatment.

Close to 70% of the infants with mild or moderate eczema saw their condition improve after six weeks of treatment compared with about 40% of the placebo group.

Following the initial six-week study, participants who were using the placebo were given the option to switch to Elidel for an additional 20 weeks. Those who switched also reported improvements similar to those found in the initial study, and by week 27 about two-thirds of the infants treated with the cream had complete or good control of their eczema.

Researcher Vincent C. Ho, MD, of the University of British Columbia, and colleagues say Elidel was well tolerated and there were no related side effects.

Topical Steroid Cream Intake Guidelines
You must ask your doctor how and when it is recommended to use Topical Steroid Cream. You should apply the drug just like your personal physician has told you to. Avoid disobeying any of his or her instructions. If you fail to understand some of them, or if you need any additional information, you should ask a doctor, a pharmacist or a nurse.

You should carefully wash your hands (both of them) before and after you use the drug (unless you are taking Topical Steroid cream for a hand medical condition).

You should apply a small quantity of Topical Steroid Cream to the affected area. Gently rub the drug onto the skin until it is absorbed.

You must be careful while applying this drug on body areas where the skin normally creases (for example knees, armpits, and elbows). This type of areas is known to absorb a bigger amount of the drug. You should avoid applying this medicine to the mouth, eyes or any other mucous membranes.

If you have to protect the area that you are treating with Topical Steroid Cream, you should cover it with a breathable dressing (preferably a cotton-gauze one). If you are treating a child with this drug, avoid dressing him with diapers or plastic pants, because this could have harmful effects.

You should use Topical Steroid Cream on a regular basis in order to get the best results from your treatment with this drug.

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Can steroid cream Soothes Infant Eczema?