Corticosteroids

How Do Corticosteroids Work?

When certain diseases are present in the body, the immune system does not work properly. Instead, it attacks tissues in the body and causes damage and inflammation. A corticosteroid steps in to address this by suppressing the activity of the immune system and reducing the production of chemicals that create inflammation. This reduces the damage on surrounding tissues and improves the symptoms of a disease or condition.

Conditions Treated by Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are used in a wide range of conditions in which the immune system has begun to damage tissue. Sometimes they are used as the main intervention but sometimes they are used sparingly, since they can cause significant side effects in some patients. Corticosteroids are used when treating allergic contact dermatitis, melasma and bullous disease.