Because acne is closely associated with oily skin, people who have oily skin need to be aware of home skin care and utilize it to their advantage. There are cases however that home skin care simply does not remedy the situation. In these cases, it becomes necessary to visit a dermatologist and begin a treatment of medication to relieve the skin so that the healing process can begin. One of the medications that your dermatologist may prescribe is corticosteroid treatment. This medication relieves the symptoms of irritated skin, mainly inflammation (swelling), itching, and redness. Inflammation, in regards to skin conditions, is slight compared to inflammation due to acute injury.

When prescribed for acne (which results, in part, from oily skin), this treatment is usually given as a topical treatment, meaning that it is applied to the skin, not taken internally. Corticosteroids prescribed for acne may be in a cream or lotion form. In very severe cases which are not helped by strong topical corticosteroids, systemic steroids may be prescribed. These are taken internally and the most popular is known as Prednisone.

If this medication is prescribed for you, there are things that you should know about it in order to use it both safely and successfully. The federal government has the following guidelines that you should keep in mind when using corticosteroids:

Tell your doctor is you have had and reactions to any form of steroids or if you have had adverse reactions to preservatives or dyes which may be used in the compound.

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Animal studies have shown a correlation between use of this medication and birth defects when used on large areas of the body or for long periods of time.

Talk to your doctor about breast feeding while using this medication and Make sure the breasts are free of medication before breast feeding.

Use in children should be monitored by your pediatrician or dermatologist. Corticosteroids can affect growth and create other effects due to absorption through skin in children. Careful monitoring will safely allow your children to utilize the medication.

When using on elderly patients, a doctor should monitor carefully because of the tendency of older adults to have thinned skin. Unmonitored use of corticosteroids may result in blood blisters or skin that tears.

As always, make sure your doctor knows about all other medications being used to avoid possible drug interactions.

Make sure that the prescribing doctor knows if you have any of the following medical conditions: Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes, Opens wounds where the medication is to be applied, thinned skin which may bruise easily, or tuberculosis.

It is important that you do not get corticosteroids in your eyes. Make sure that you always wash your hands after application and be very careful about rubbing your face (around the eye area) while treating acne with this medication. Sweating is a factor if you have to use the medication on the forehead. Dab sweat away with a cloth rather than wiping it away with your hands. Do not let sweat run into your eyes if the medication is used on your forehead. If your do happen to get the medication in your eyes, flush immediately with cool water (not cold). Flushing helps clear the medication from the eye and the coolness helps with irritation.

In cases of acne, this medication is generally not used with bandaging. However, if it is, it is important that you apply the medicine exactly as directed because covering it aids in absorption through the skin and over-absorption has increased side effects.

Do not use corticosteroids more often or longer than directed by your doctor. Over usage can result in increased side effects. The medication usually comes with detailed patient instructions aside from your doctors instructions. Be sure to read information provided with the medicine.

If you miss a dose of this medication, you can apply it as soon as your remember, as long as it is not time for your next dose. If your next dose is to be applied soon, just skip the missed dose and resume proper dosing of this medication.

Remember that the major advantage to using corticosteroids is that they reduce inflammation. You still need to continue your organic oily skin care regimen in order to correct the situation. Once the medication is no longer necessary, you will still need to take good care of your skin in a specific regimen for combating oily skin.