Topical Ointment

Topical corticosteroid creams and ointments are applied to the skin to reduce inflammation in conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and allergic skin reactions. They include medicines such as hydrocortisone, betamethasone and clobetasol.

Ointments are more greasy than creams. They are preferable if your skin is dry, whereas moist or weepy skin is best treated with a cream. Using a cream or ointment allows the medicine to be applied directly to the inflamed area of skin.

The most important thing to remember with topical corticosteroid creams and ointments is to apply them very thinly. This minimises the amount absorbed through the skin into the body.