Corticosteroids for Psoriasis

Side effects of corticosteroid creams include:

• Thinning of the skin, stretch marks, skin color (pigmentation) changes, or easy bruising with higher strength corticosteroids.
• Symptoms of psoriasis that return quickly when the medicine is stopped.
• Local burning, itching, irritation, dryness, or redness of the skin after the creams are used.

To limit serious side effects, your doctor may recommend that you:

• Have regular follow-up visits with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to make sure you are using the medicine properly.
• Do not apply more than 100 g (4 oz) of a class III or lower (more potent) corticosteroid in a month.
• Spend a period of time each year using another treatment, such as tar products or ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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