The influence of corticosteroids and topical indomethacin on sunburn erythema.

The extent to which topical and intradermal corticosteroids and topical indomethacin suppress sunburn erythema was investigated in human volunteers. Both agents retarded the onset and decreased the magnitude of delayed erythema. Suppression by corticosteroids was not demonstrable with ultraviolet doses larger than 2 MEDs (minimal erythema dose). Below 2 MEDs, topical betamethasone valerate produced a dose-related suppression of erythema. Indomethacin was more effective and produced a measurable dose-dependent suppression against 3 and 6 MEDs. Despite significant inhibition of erythema, sunburn damage to epidermal cells was not altered by these drugs.