Treatment of psoriasis and other dermatoses with a single application of a corticosteroid left under a hydrocolloid occlusive dressing for one week.

Lotions of five different corticosteroids were applied on 3 X 4 cm areas of large infiltrated chronic psoriatic plaque in eight patients, and left occluded with a hydrocolloid dressing (Actiderm) for one week. Area treated with clobetasol, betamethasone and triamcinolone were clinically healed within one week in four patients, but slight residual erythema was observed in the other four. Hydrocortisone-treated areas showed better improvement than the non-steroid-treated control area, where infiltration and erythema remained unchanged. In 44 patients with psoriasis, lichen planus, chronic lichenified eczema, discoid lupus erythematosus and necrobiosis lipoidica, treatment with betamethasone applied 1-3 times under Actiderm once a week healed the lesions. The skin-coloured Actiderm is easy to apply and wear and does not loosen when taking a shower or hot bath.