Topical medications: a focus on antifungals and topical steroids.

Because skin disease is accessible, it can be treated with locally applied medication, which offers great advantages--exposure to a drug is limited to the affected skin and systemic effects of potentially toxic drugs are minimized. Ointments, creams, antifungals, and antibiotics all have their place in treating various skin diseases. Topical steroids, the largest group of topical medications, are effective but present the potential for side effects. This article discusses current and new topical medications that can be used to treat a range of skin diseases.