Apply the steroid to your skin lesion sparingly in a thin film with your fingertip.Always know the potency of your medication. Steroids range from mild to very potent.
Never use someone else's steroid prescription.
Use only on areas recommended by your doctor. For example, do not apply a steroid intended for your arm on your face or groin area.
Do not use topical steroids after the psoriasis or lesion has cleared; the medication can thin out the skin. (Children may absorb proportionally larger amounts of corticosteroids and thus be more susceptible to systemic toxicity.)
To reduce side-effects of topical corticosteroids used on the face, physicians need to avoid long-term prescriptions and shun super potent agents entirely for this area.
REMINDER: Some parts of the body absorb more than others:
-- Forearm absorbs 1%
-- Armpit absorbs 4%
-- Face absorbs 7%
-- Eyelids and Genital absorb 30%
-- Sole absorb 0.05%
The risk of topical steroid side-effects depends on the strength of the steroid, the length of application, the site treated and the nature of the skin problem. Generally only apply once or twice daily.
