Halobetasol propionate cream by day and halobetasol propionate ointment at night for the treatment of pediatric patients with chronic, localized plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

In a multicenter, 14-day pediatric study in 81 evaluable patients with severe, localized corticosteroid-susceptible dermatoses, the combined treatment with halobetasol propionate cream once during the day and halobetasol propionate ointment once at night produced a very satisfactory therapeutic effect. The success rates, as indicated by ratings of "healed" and "marked improvement," were 100% and 90.9% in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris, respectively. Healing was reported in 86.8% and 72.7% of patients treated for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, respectively. Both the cream and ointment preparations were well tolerated. Adverse effects at the site of application were reported in only 3 of 81 patients. Mild skin atrophy was observed in one patient. No systemic adverse effects were observed.