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Topical treatments, or “topicals,” for eczema are medications, including creams, gels and foams, that are applied to the skin to manage symptoms and reduce inflammation. There are a few different types of topicals for eczema. Prescription topicals require a prescription from a doctor (as opposed to over-the-counter products you can purchase without a prescription).
One of the most commonly prescribed medications for eczema is topical corticosteroids, or “steroids” for short, which can reduce inflammation and itching to help the skin begin to heal. Topical steroids are used for mild to severe eczema.
Topical steroids are classified by their strength (or potency), which ranges from “super potent” (Class 1) to “least potent” (Class 7). There are several different topical steroid types, as well as different concentrations and dosage forms (ointment, cream, lotion, spray).
Certain areas or types of skin — the face, genitals, skin folds, raw or thin skin and areas that rub together, such as beneath the breasts or between the buttocks or thighs — absorb more medication and care must be taken when using steroids in these areas.
As with any medication, there can be side effects to using topical steroids. The most common side effects with overuse of topical steroids include skin thinning, acne, skin discoloration and stretch marks. The risk of side effects is related to the potency of the steroid, location and duration of use. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing side effects or are concerned about side effects. A rare side effect of topical steroid use may be topical steroid withdrawal though why this occurs in certain individuals is still not fully understood.
Nonsteroidal topicals are treatments that go on the skin but do not have steroids in them. There are a few different types.
Topical calcineurin inhibitors are a nonsteroidal medicine for mild to severe eczema. Topical calcineurin inhibitors work by stopping certain cells of the immune system from “switching on,” preventing eczema symptoms, such as redness, itch and inflammation.
Topical phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are a nonsteroidal medicine for mild to moderate eczema. Topical PDE4 inhibitors work by blocking the PDE4 enzyme, which in turn reduces inflammation on and below the surface of the skin. A topical PDE4 inhibitor can be used for extended periods of time to control symptoms and reduce flares.
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are a nonsteroidal medicine for short-term or chronic, non-continuous treatment of mild to moderate eczema. The inflammation in eczema is caused in part by immune system messengers called cytokines that are increased in the blood and the skin. Several of these inflammatory cytokines exert their effects through a chemical signal pathway inside cells known as the JAK-STAT pathway (janus kinase-signal transducer and activators of transcription). JAK inhibitor medicines can target the JAK-STAT pathway to block these immune signals and inhibit the inflammatory effect of key cytokines involved in eczema.
Topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists are a nonsteroidal topical medicine for mild to severe eczema. Topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists are topical creams that work by specifically binding to and activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor to downregulate inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress and increase expression of proteins involved in skin barrier function.
Below is a list of all currently available prescription topical treatments for eczema approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as of December 2024. Your doctor can give you more information on which treatment, or combination of treatments, might be most effective for you and how to use each treatment.
How they work: Applied to the skin usually as an ointment or cream. Steroids reduce inflammatory proteins and tighten blood vessels under the skin to reduce redness and swelling.
| Steroid level | Treatment | Brand name | Who it’s for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-high potency | Clobetasol propionate .05% (klo-BAY-tuh-sol) | Clobex, Olux, Temovate | Adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Ultra-high potency | Diflorasone diacetate .05% (dye-FLOR-uh-sone) | ApexiCon, Florone | Adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Ultra-high potency | Halobetasol propionate .05% (hay-lo-BAY-tuh-sol) | Ultravate | Adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Ultra-high potency | Augmented betamethasone dipropionate .05% (bay-tuh-METH-uh-sone) gel or ointment | Diprolene | Adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Ultra-high potency | Fluocinonide .1% (floo-oh-SIN-oh-nide) | Vanos | Adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| High potency | Betamethasone dipropionate .05% (bay-ta-METH-a-sone) cream | Diprolene, Sernivo | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $–$$ |
| High potency | Amcinonide .1% (am-SIN-oh-nide) | Cyclocort | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $–$$ |
| High potency | Desoximetasone .25% (des-ox-ih-MEH-ta-sone) | Topicort | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $–$$ |
| High potency | Diflorasone diacetate .05% (dye-FLOR-a-sone) | ApexiCon, Maxiflor, Florone | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $–$$ |
| High potency | Fluocinonide .05% (FLOO-oh-SIN-oh-nide) | Vanos | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $–$$ |
| High potency | Halcinonide .1% (hal-SIN-oh-nide) | Halog | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $–$$ |
| High potency | Triamcinolone acetonide .5% (try-am-SIN-oh-lone a-SEEToh- nide) | Aristocort A, Cinolar, Dermasorb, Kenalog, Pediaderm TA, Triacet, Triamcort, Trianex, Triderm, Zytopic | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $–$$ |
| Moderate potency | Betamethasone valerate .1% (bay-ta-METH-a-sone) | Betamethacot, Beta-Val, Qualisone, Valisone, Luxiq | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Moderate potency | Desoximetasone .05% (des-ox-ih-MEH-ta-sone) | Topicort | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Moderate potency | Fluocinonide .025% (FLOO-oh-SIN-oh-nide) | Vanos | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Moderate potency | Hydrocortisone butyrate .1% (HYE-droe-KOR-ti-sone) | Locoid | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Moderate potency | Hydrocortisone valerate .2% (HYE-droe-KOR-ti-sone) | Westcort | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Moderate potency | Mometasone furoate .1% cream (mo-MET-a-sone) | Elocon | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Moderate potency | Triamcinolone acetonide .1% (try-am-SIN-oh-lone) | Aristocort A, Cinolar, Dermasorb, Kenalog, Pediaderm TA, Triacet, Triamcot, Trianex, Triderm, Zytopic | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Moderate potency | Triamcinolone acetonide .025% (try-am-SIN-oh-lone) | Aristocort A, Cinolar, Dermasorb, Kenalog, Pediaderm TA, Triacet, Triamcot, Trianex, Triderm, Zytopic | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Low potency | Alclometasone propionate .05% (AL-kloe-MET-a-sone) | Aclovate | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Low potency | Betamethasone valerate .05% (bay-ta-METH-a-sone) | Betamethacot, Beta-Val, Luxiq, Qualisone, Valisone | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Low potency | Desonide .05% (DES-oh-nide) | Desonate, Desowen, LoKara, Tridesilon, Verdeso | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
| Low potency | Fluocinolone acetonide .01% (FLOO-oh-SIN-oh-lone) | Capex, Derma-SmootheFS, Synalar | Children and adults with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $ |
How they work: A cream or ointment applied to the skin, which works by different mechanisms to reduce inflammation and/or improve the skin barrier.
| Category | Treatment | Brand name | Who it’s for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcineurin inhibitors | Pimecrolimus cream .1% | Elidel | Ages 2 years and older; People with mild to moderate eczema | $ |
| Calcineurin inhibitors | Tacrolimus ointment .03% and .1% | Protopic | Ages 2 years and older; People with mild to moderate eczema | $ |
| Phosphodiesterase- 4 (PDE-4) inhibitors | Crisaborole ointment 2%* | Eucrisa | Ages 3 months and older; People with mild to moderate eczema | $$$ |
| Phosphodiesterase- 4 (PDE-4) inhibitors | Roflumilast cream .15%* | Zoryve | Ages 6 years and older; People with mild to moderate eczema | $$$ |
| Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor | Ruxolitinib cream 1.5%* | Opzelura | Ages 2+ years and up; People with mild to moderate eczema | $$$$ |
| Topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist | Tapinarof cream 1%* | Vtama | Ages 2 years and older; People with mild, moderate or severe eczema | $$$$ |
*Generic option not available
Download a full list of all current FDA-approved treatments for atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema.
Medically reviewed on April 21, 2025