Steroids
Also known as: corticosteroids, cortisones, glucocorticosteroids
What are steroids?
Steroids are drugs modelled on the natural steroid hormone cortisol that is produced in our bodies. Steroids are sometimes called “cortisone” and their medical name is “glucocorticosteroids”.
These drugs are not the same as the steroid drugs such as testosterone used by athletes to build up their muscles.
Types of steroids
When steroids are given by mouth or by injection into a vein or muscle, they are referred to as “systemic steroids”.
When steroids are directly applied to the skin, they are called “topical steroids”.
When steroids are injected into troublesome skin spots, they are called “intralesional steroids”.
Click on each of the hyperlinks above to find out more on each of these types.
This information has been written by Dr Jenny Byth
