Authors
Victor H. Witten
Topics
Nail Diseases and TreatmentsContact Dermatitis and AllergiesDermatology and Skin DiseasesFrom the outset, the skin and visible mucous membranes have lent themselves well to the study of the therapeutic effectiveness of the corticosteroids, whether administered topically or systemically. It was only natural that an organ such as the skin, which is always exposed and readily available for examination, should be used for systematic therapeutic assays of each of these compounds as they were introduced. As a result of such investigations it soon became apparent that the corticosteroids could benefit many dermatoses that previously either plagued the sufferer or resulted in death simply because an effective means of therapy was not available. I t was soon evident, however, that, in the high doses often required, the undesirable effects produced by the systemic administration of these compounds were of such a nature and degree as to limit their therapeutic applications. On the other hand, the external corticosteroid preparations have proved to be perhaps the greatest single advance in topical dermatological therapy and, with but one exception, may be used freely and without harm.
About
PublishedOct 1, 1959
TypeArticle
Citations5
References14