A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON PREVALENCE, PATTERN AND CONSEQUENCES OF TOPICAL STEROIDS MISUSE IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN WESTERN RAJASTHAN

The discovery and introduction of topical corticosteroids (TCs) in the 1950s brought a revolutionary change in the management of inflammatory skin disorders.[1] These compounds, derived from cortisol, provided dermatologists with a highly effective therapeutic option to treat a variety of skin conditions that were previously difficult to manage. Over the past several decades, numerous topical corticosteroids have been synthesized and classified into different categories based on their potency—ranging from mild (Class VII) to very potent (Class I)—allowing clinicians to tailor treatment depending on the severity, location, and duration of the dermatosis.[2]