Topical Therapies

The vehicle is the base of medication.

powders: dry skin through evaporation. Not a good vehicle.
liquids: hydrates skin, but then dry it out when exposed to air
greases: ie paraffin (vaseline) - hydrates skin
shake lotion: powder + liquid together dries skin
paste: grease + powder - hydrates skin and allows it to breathe
- use in ie diaper rash
ointment: liquid in oil: hydrating
cream: oil in water: more drying
compresses:
- water
- aluminum acetate (Burrow's solution)
- salt water
- vinegar

Medication units:

fingertip units (FTUs): about 0.5 gram, enough to cover both sides of one hand. Body takes ~20 g to cover it all, except scalp.

The active agent is the drug used.

steroids:I is super strong, VII is very mild.
- I psoriasis, lichen planus, discoid lupus, severe eczema, lichen simplex chronicus, severe atopic dermatitis
- tachyphylaxis - eventual loss of clinical effect and move from vasoconstriction to vasodilation
- beware adrenal suppression
tars
karatolytics (ie salicylic acid) - peels off stratum corneum
antibiotics
retinoids
alpha hydroxyacids

Adjuvants are chemicals added to stabilize active agents.

A general rule: if it is dry, wet it. If it is wet, dry it.