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Halogenated steroids-KH

John L. Bezzant,M.D.

Halogenated steroids, particularly fluorinated steroids, applied to the facial skin for over several weeks will often induce a dermatitis around the mouth, nose, and lower eyelids; this is called paraorificial dermatitis. This inflammation usually, but not always, resolves spontaneously within several months after stopping the halogenated steroid. It can be treated with tetracycline, 500 mg tid. (Occasionally, non-halogenated steroid will produce this eruption.)