Efficacy, cutaneous tolerance and cosmetic acceptability of desonide 0.05% lotion (Desowen) versus vehicle in the short-term treatment of facial atopic or seborrhoeic dermatitis.

The differences between topical corticosteroids are based mainly on their potency, safety and patient acceptability. The aim of this study was to evaluate a mild- to mid-potent topical corticosteroid, desonide 0.05%, on these three parameters in an Australian cohort of patients with facial seborrhoeic or atopic dermatitis. Eighty-one adult patients were randomized to receive desonide 0.05% lotion or its vehicle, applied twice daily for 3 weeks under double-blind conditions. In the active treatment group, 88% of patients had their skin condition cleared or almost cleared and only two patients experienced cutaneous adverse events (rash and pruritus). The acceptability of the lotion was high; 95% of patients stated they would use this topical corticosteroid again. These data support the short-term use of desonide 0.05% lotion as a suitable agent for the short-term treatment of facial dermatitis.