title: Steroid-induced dermal thinning: discontinuous application of clobetasol-17-propionate ointment.
abstract: The skin thinning effect of discontinuous topical clobetasol-17-propionate applications was tested in human volunteers. Application frequencies were daily (1/0), every third day (1/2), every fifth day (1/4), every seventh day (1/6) and every ninth day (1/8). Clobetasol-17-propionate was administered topically under occlusion for 1 h. The treatment period was 41 days. There were no differences of the skin thinning effect of daily and 1/2 administration. The skin thinning effect of 1/4, 1/6 and 1/8 was smaller but also significant compared to controls. The curves demonstrating skin thinning effects initially were dropping off and reached a plateau within about 2 weeks. After finishing application, skin thickness normalized within 2 weeks. Because of these findings, a treatment interval of 3 days is discussed as therapeutically efficient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology (Hautklinik Linden), Medizinische Hochschule, Hannover, FRG.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lubach
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kietzmann
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D002990:Clobetasol