Corticosteroid drugs are prescribed for a variety of skin conditions. They are particularly effective in treating rashes caused by allergies or inflammatory reactions to poison ivy, metals, cloth or other substances. Specific skin conditions that may be effectively treated with corticosteroids include:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Skin condition usually characterized by itching and a red, raised rash. Topical corticosteroid creams are often used to treat the rashes experienced with this condition. In some cases, limited use of oral corticosteroids also may be recommended.
  
  

  

• Contact dermatitis. A localized rash or skin inflammation caused by direct contact with an allergen (substance that triggers an exaggerated immune system response) or irritant. Topical corticosteroid creams are often used to treat the rashes experienced with this condition. If the rash covers a large portion of the skin or is severe, a physician may prescribe corticosteroid pills or injections.
  
  
• Chronic idiopathic urticaria. Condition in which wheals and flare lesions of the skin last at least six weeks. Oral corticosteroids may be used to treat this condition.
  
  
• Keloids. Scar tissue that grows beyond what is needed to heal a wound, forming a benign tumor-like growth. Patients who have a history of keloids may be able to prevent these scars from forming after surgery if corticosteroid solutions are injected into or applied on top of the scar as it forms. This can inhibit keloid formation, reduce pain or cause a forming keloid to shrink.
  
  
• Lichen sclerosus. Skin eruption characterized by flat, angular, pea-sized bumps or white-pink thin, itchy skin. It is especially common around the genital and anal areas. Topical corticosteroid creams can relieve symptoms and slow the course of the disease, particularly if given early in the disease’s progression.
  
  
• Lichen planus. A skin condition characterized by angular, purple bumps (papules) that are inflammatory and itchy. Topical corticosteroids are frequently prescribed to reduce inflammation and suppress immune and allergic reactions. They may also be injected directly into the lesions to ease itching. For severe cases, systemic corticosteroids may be used.
  
  
• Pruritus. A disorder in which an unpleasant sensation causes the patient to scratch excessively, potentially leading to a secondary skin infection. Mild topical corticosteroids may be used to treat this condition.
  
  
• Psoriasis. Common skin disease marked by raised, inflamed lesions that join together to form plaques with distinct borders and are covered with flaky scales. Topical corticosteroids may be used to treat this condition.
  
  
• Shingles. An infection caused by a virus, which leads to a painful rash. This virus, varicella-zoster, also causes chickenpox which can re-activate years later in the form of shingles. Oral corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat shingles that does not resolve on its own or with other treatments. They may be used in conjunction with antivirals to reduce pain as well as post herpetic neuralgia (chronic pain that occurs after one has shingles).
  
  
• Alopecia areata. An autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. Corticosteroids may be administered orally, topically or through local injection.  
  
  
• Pemphigus. An immune system disorder that causes blisters to form on a person’s skin or mucous membranes (the tissue that lines body cavities). Mild cases are usually treated with corticosteroids.
  
  
• Pemphigoid. This autoimmune disorder is similar to pemphigus, but is less severe and produces blisters that are shallower than pemphigus. Oral steroids may be used to treat severe cases.

Corticosteroid drugs also are prescribed to treat numerous other conditions associated with inflammation (e.g., other allergies, asthma, certain forms of arthritis).