Corticosteroids with moderate strength are increasingly prescribed for skin ailments. These naturally occurring chemicals play a big role in regulating how you respond to stresses. They make your body to withstand unexpected threats such as exposure to foreign particles such as germs, microbial sieges and insect bites. Man-made or artificial steroids are needed when your system fails to make it sufficiently. Desonide cream is a popular topical medicine made with a milder strength. It is used for the case management of several skin conditions. It is essential to know about the ailments this cream is used for.

Lab-made corticosteroids do the same thing as their naturally forming counterparts do. These drugs can control the responses of your system when there is an external threat – in the form of an allergy, microbial attack, etc. In essence, these steroids regulate anti-allergy responses such as inflammation, internal swelling, etc. Owing to these properties, artificial versions of corticosteroids – especially, their topical forms are administered to treat skin disorders like itchiness, reddening of skin, dryness, scaling and inflammation. Desonide cream is a popular medication belonging to the class of meds called corticosteroids. It is used when your adrenal gland does not adequate amount of hormones to manage allergic stresses. This cream often forms part of hormonal replacement treatment plans. You need to remember that it is one of the moderately potent corticosteroids like hydrocortisone.

Conditions for which desonide cream can be applied

Corticosteroid desonide cream is known for its wide treatment bandwidth. Of the many ailments it is used, the cream form of this drug is applied for atopic dermatitis, lymphoma of cutaneous T-cells, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, itchiness (at the genital and anal regions), inflammation or swelling of skin due to allergies, rashes in skin as well as formation of sores.

Atopic dermatitis

This is a chronic skin ailment which shows up in the form of dryness of skin, swelling as well as itchiness. The actual reasons that trigger this skin condition are not fully understood. Studies however indicate that an excessive production of immunity cells as a likely cause. People may get this skin problem at an early stage i.e., during their childhood. Though there is no known cure, treatment plan (use of desonide cream) can help mitigate risk factors as well as keep the signs under control.

Contact dermatitis

This condition occurs when you change your soap or a skin care lotion. This is characterised by reddening of skin, rashes as well as skin irritation. Other symptoms of contact dermatitis are blisters with fluids retained within, burning sensation as well as turning very sensitive to sun’s rays. This skin problem is due to exposure to a foreign or an unfamiliar substance.

Psoriasis

This is an autoimmune condition which lasts fairly long but is not contagious. It can make your skin to become dark as well as itchy. In case of severe spells of psoriasis, you may observe dark patches on your skin and / or scaling. Use of desonide cream or other steroidal lotions / creams is a standard part of treatment. In some cases, depending on the intensity of this skin problem – your skin doctor (a dermatologist) may recommend a treatment plan with ultraviolet sources, application of vitamin D3 ointment, etc. In a few rare instances, administration of immunity suppressing meds like methotrexate has been prescribed.

Safe use of desonide cream

Foremost of all, if you are also applying other types of corticosteroids say, hydrocortisone or prednisone, your treating doctor must have needful details of your mediation plan. It is a safe thing to inform your physician of the drugs you are using for prior skin conditions and / or treatment plans you are pursuing for other ailments, if any. It is a good practice to list all drugs you are using now. While making this list, include over the counter meds, drugs prescribed to you, herbal medications, protein supplements, mineral or vitamin aids, dietary supplements, etc.

Take needful care while applying desonide; an accidental application on eyes may lead to acute eye conditions. Those who have an increased ocular fluid tension may stand to worsen their inner eye problems. If you have had organ transplantation recently, your surgical team may administer immunity suppressant drugs such as cyclosporine. Use of such immunity suppressing meds along with desonide cream is considered as harmful. Before using desonide cream, it is vital to carefully wash your hands. It is a sound practice to wash it after handling the cream as well, unless you need to use it on your hands and fingers.

Pregnant women – can they use desonide cream?

In general, it is not a safe practice to use this cream on pregnant women. However, in remote instances, doctors have used this topical cream in the earliest stages (i.e., during the first trimester) of pregnancy. These clinical decisions are made after thoroughly assessing the underlying skin condition, prior ailments, if any, benefits of using desonide cream versus risks of side effects it may trigger.

Also, if you are planning to get pregnant, tell your treating doctor of your plan. It is considered unsafe to use this med while you are planning for pregnancy. As a safety measure, use of contraceptive(s) is highly recommended. Consult with your caregiver and select a birth control technique (preferably a non-hormonal kind) from a large set of alternatives such as vaginal rings or contraceptive skin patches. Key chemicals used in desonide cream may get into mother’s milk. So, if you are breastfeeding a newly born infant, tell your doctor about it. Your caregiver will tell you to keep away from this skin cream. Instead, safer alternatives are prescribed.  Women who flouted these safety precautions while breastfeeding witnessed their infants develop sleeping problems as well as feeding difficulties.

In sum, desonide cream is a corticosteroid and is known to possess a larger treatment bandwidth to handle several skin ailments / topical conditions. It is often administered as part of case management plans of skin conditions such as dermatitis – atopic as well as contact forms of skin problems, itchiness (anal and genital parts), psoriasis, swelling, sores and rashes. In order to get detailed insights into the other skin conditions desonide cream can treat, it is strongly recommended to talk to your caregiving team.