A Treatise on Topical Corticosteroids in Dermatology: Use, Misuse and Abuse

DescriptionThis treatise aims to fill up the lacuna and to contribute significantly to the dissemination of knowledge about the indication/contraindication, mechanism of action, ethical use, side-effects and various other facets related to topical corticosteroid.Topical corticosteroids (TC) have greatly enhanced dermatologists’ ability to effectively treat several difficult dermatoses. The available range of formulations and potencies allows them to flexibly treat all groups of patients, different phases of disease, and different anatomic sites.Improper/incomplete knowledge about topical corticosteroids’ mechanism of action, indications, classifications, and contraindications has produced a rapid rise in the incidence of improper use of these drugs, which could potentially bring disrepute to this entire group of amazing drugs.Responsibility for disseminating proper knowledge regarding when, where, and how to use TC both to internists and patients primarily rests with dermatologists. In this regard, the benefits of rational and ethical use and the potential harm of overuse and misuse for nonmedical, especially cosmetic purposes, should be clearly conveyed before prescribing TC.Key FeaturesTopical corticosteroids have been available for more than six decades during which they have completely changed the face of therapy of dermatological disordersDespite being the most useful drug for such treatment they are known to produce serious local, systemic and psychological side-effects when overused or misusedA separate book dedicated to topical corticosteroids has never been planned or executedTable of ContentsTopical corticosteroid: development and evolutionTopical corticosteroid: pharmacologyDermatological indications and usage of topical corticosteroidEthical use of topical corticosteroidsTopical corticosteroid during pregnancy: Indications, safety and precautionsTopical corticosteroid during breast feeding: Pros and consTopical corticosteroid: Use and misuse in pediatric age groupTopical steroid as cosmetic cream: A social background of steroid dermatitisRational and ethical use of topical corticosteroids based on safety and efficacyTopical steroid damaged face topical steroid damaged groin Topical steroid damaged skinThe red skin syndromesTopical steroid abuse: Indian perspectiveTopical steroid abuse across the globeSystemic side-effects of topical corticosteroidsTopical corticosteroid addiction and phobiaSide-effects of topical steroidsTreatment of topical steroid damaged skinTopical steroids: Regulatory issuesEditor BiographyDr. Koushik Lahiri is the editor of the Indian Journal of Dermatology, one of the directors and vice president nominate of the International Society of Dermatology and the immediate past president of the Association of Cutaneous Surgeons of India.Dr. Lahiri is a Foundation Fellow of the Asian Academy of Dermatology-Venerology, Fellow of IADVL Academy of Dermatology, Fellow of American Academy of Dermatology, and Founder council member of the Asian Skin Foundation and Asian Society for Pigment Cell Research (ASPCR).Dr. Lahiri has published more than 100 articles in several indexed journals in the last two decades, and contributed several chapters in different textbooks. He has compiled an extremely popular mega project ‘100 interesting cases in Dermatology’ and edited a highly acclaimed exhaustive compendium ‘Pigmentary Disorders’ and the first ‘Textbook of Lasers in Dermatology’.