What medical conditions are steroids prescribed for?
There are three types of steroids: anabolic steroids, androgenic steroids and corticosteroids. Anabolic steroids are the type of steroid that build muscle mass and strength; this is the type familiar to most people, because of its illegal use among athletes. While it is common to think of steroids as an illegal drug, there are medical conditions that steroids are prescribed to treat.Inflammatory DiseasesAccording to doctors at The Cleveland Clinic, steroids are often used to treat inflammatory disease and conditions such as vasculitis, myositis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Steroids help reduce inflammation and prevent tissue damage caused by these diseases.Skin ProblemsCorticosteroids are prescribed to treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, severe cases of dermatitis and allergic reactions such as poison ivy. These conditions are usually treated with a steroid that comes in the form of a cortisone cream.HIVHIV patients experience what is called muscle wasting, according t
