Treatment of psoriasis with topically applied tretinoin and steroid ointment.

The sequential application of tretinoin and a corticosteroid ointment was considerably more effective in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis than either drug alone in a pilot study. The best results were obtained with 0.3% tretinoin followed by a potent corticosteroid ointment. Combined therapy was particularly efficacious in steroid-resistant psoriasis, including that on the palms, elbows, and knees. Irritancy from the high-strength tretinoin was a potentially troublesome side-effect. Care must be taken to avoid drug contact on areas that are easily irritated.