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Corticosteroids in Pediatric Dermatology

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Systemic Corticosteroids for Inflammatory Disorders in Pediatrics

Abstract

Ever since their introduction, corticosteroids have been popular drugs in dermatology; in skin disorders they are prescribed topically or systemically. Intralesional administration is also possible but is a rare occurrence in childhood. Corticosteroids are commonly used in dermatological practice in both children and adults for their anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antiproliferative action. In general, treatment with this class of drugs should be of adequate potency and conveniently tapered, avoiding abrupt interruption [1].

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Potency is an intrinsic property of the drug and not the same thing as concentration. Of note: potency can be altered by drug concentration and formulation (nature of vehicle used). Therefore, in daily practice, it is sometimes incorrectly thought that topical steroid drug concentration relates to potency.

  2. 2.

    Proactive therapy is defined as long-term, low-dose, intermittent application of anti-inflammatory treatment to previously affected skin, together with daily application of emollients to unaffected areas. This “minimal therapy for minimal eczema” regimen is continued after clearance of the visible eczema at a low frequency – usually twice weekly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda “Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico”, Milan, Via Pace 9, 20122, Milan, Italy

    Stefano Cambiaghi & Carlo Gelmetti

Authors
  1. Stefano Cambiaghi
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  2. Carlo Gelmetti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefano Cambiaghi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. AOU Meyer Pediatric Rheumatology, Firenze, Italy

    Rolando Cimaz

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Cambiaghi, S., Gelmetti, C. (2015). Corticosteroids in Pediatric Dermatology. In: Cimaz, R. (eds) Systemic Corticosteroids for Inflammatory Disorders in Pediatrics. Adis, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16056-6_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16056-6_10

  • Publisher Name: Adis, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16055-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16056-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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