topical agent

^[1]^[2]^[3]

Notes

~ 30 g of topical product are needed to cover the average body once
ointments
- generally petroleum-based
- have more emollient effect than creams or lotions
- particularly effective when the skin requires additional barrier protection, i.e. vulvar dermatoses
lotions
- spread easily
- useful in treating large areas of skin
- skin dries faster than creams or ointments
foams & solutions
- spread easily
- dry without significant residue
- useful for treating dermatoses in skin supporting hair
95% of patients underdose^[2]

↑ Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 15, 16. American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2009, 2012
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Storm A, Benfeldt E, Andersen SE, Serup J. A prospective study of patient adherence to topical treatments: 95% of patients underdose. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Dec;59(6):975-80 PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18817998
↑ Jewell JR, Myers SA. Topical Therapy Primer for Nondermatologists. Med Clin North Am. 2015 Nov;99(6):1167-82. Review. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26476246