Are steroid creams effective?
Topical steroids (steroid creams) may be an added benefit to standard treatment, although there are no good-quality studies to confirm this. Blisters and sores can flare up randomly and unexpectedly in pemphigus vulgaris (PV). There is no way of knowing how bad the symptoms will be. However, taking immunosuppressive medication (drugs that suppress your immune system) every day for a long period of time can keep symptoms under control. The aim is to: • Heal the blisters and prevent new ones from forming. This usually takes two to three weeks, and up to eight weeks for the blisters to heal, then • Gradually reduce the medication to the lowest possible dose that will still control symptoms. Treatment usually involves taking oral corticosteroids (steroid tablets) every day, often in combination with other medication, called adjuvant drugs. There has been little research into therapy for PV. The few existing studies are not very good quality. However, experience shows that oral corticostero
