What should you know about a topical corticosteroid?

These medicines can ease redness, itching and swelling from inflammatory skin problems. Their strength, formulation and treatment area matter, so follow the label or clinician's directions rather than applying extra medicine for faster relief.

Corticosteroids calm immune activity within inflamed skin. Creams often suit moist or weeping areas, while ointments are greasier and can suit dry, thickened skin. The medicine is different from an injection placed into a joint or around the spine.

Skin on the face, eyelids, groin and body folds absorbs medicine more readily than thicker areas such as the palms or soles. Children also require particular care because their skin and body size affect exposure.

Wash and dry your hands, place a thin layer on the affected skin, and wash your hands afterward unless the hands are being treated. Keep it away from the eyes and do not cover the area with a tight dressing unless instructed.

Use moisturiser as advised, but allow each product to absorb instead of mixing them together in your palm. Do not share the tube, transfer it to an unlabelled container or use an old prescription for a new rash. If a dose is missed, resume the normal schedule rather than doubling it.

Arrange clinical advice if the rash spreads, worsens, repeatedly returns, or does not improve as expected. Increasing warmth, pain, pus, crusting or fever can indicate infection; a corticosteroid may mask or aggravate some untreated infections.

Stop applying the product and seek urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty or a widespread blistering reaction. Report thinning skin, easy bruising, prominent small blood vessels, colour change or a rash around the mouth after ongoing use.

Ask which strength and formulation matches the affected body area, how often to apply it, when to stop, and whether treatment should be reduced gradually. Confirm how to combine it with moisturiser and what change should prompt a follow-up visit.