According to a recently concluded study by Alexander Kreuter, M.D, from Ruhr University of Bochum, Germany and colleagues, application of topical corticosteroids in the short term and using a less potent agent is effective for treating patients with intertriginous psoriasis (IP).

From Bio-Medicine.Org:

In this study, Alexander Kreuter, M.D, from Ruhr University of Bochum, Germany, and colleagues conducted a randomized controlled trial that compared 1 percent pimecrolimus (a new anti-inflammatory drug), 0.005 percent calcipotriol, 0.1 percent betamethasone and the vehicle (a similarly appearing cream with no active drug) in the treatment of IP with a four-week treatment period and a six-week follow-up without therapy. A total of 80 adult patients with the clinical diagnosis of IP were included, 20 patients in each of the four treatment groups.

“After four weeks of treatment, the three active compounds and the vehicle resulted in a significant decrease in mean (average) M-PASI score [Modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index] (86.4 percent for 0.1 percent betamethasone, 62.4 percent for 0.005 percent calcipotriol, 39.7 percent for 1 percent pimecrolimus and 21.1 percent for vehicle),” the researchers found. “The 0.1 percent betamethasone was significantly more effective than 1 percent pimecrolimus during the study period.”

It is important to note that symptoms of IP include soreness and irritation from sweating. It was highlighted by the study that corticosteroids do not bring any side effects with them in the long run as believed by some.

The study findings are expected to bring a huge relief to millions of patients with intertriginous psoriasis (IP), of which around 150,000 are in the United States alone.