Table I.
Common Skin Diseases and Some Examples of Topical Drug Products for Their Treatments
| General category | Disorders/diseases | Pathogenic conditions/microorganisms | Example of topical drug products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial infection | Impetigo, forunculosis, cellulitis, folliculitis | Staphyloccocus Aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes | Mupirocin (Bactroban), Polymyxin B sulfate, Bacitracin zinc, Gentamicin sulfate, Neomycin, Silver sulfadiazine, Sulfanilamide, Nystatin |
| Fungal/yeast infection | Tinea pedis, cruris, corporis, unguium | Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans, Candida albicans | Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), Terbinafine (Lamisil), Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Butoconazole Nitrate, Ciclopirox Olamine, Halobetasol Propionate, Econazole Nitrate, Terconazole |
| Candidiasis | |||
| Viral infection | External genital/perianal warts | Molluscam contagiosum virus | Salicylic acid, Imiquimod (Aldara), Podophyllotoxin, Acyclovir, Docosanol |
| Cold sore | Human papillomavirus | ||
| Herpes Simplex virus | |||
| Inflammatory and pruritic manifestations | Allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema | The exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body’s immune system to external and/or internal triggers. | Triamcinolone 0.1% (Triamcinolone), Fluocinonide (Lidex), Clobetasol (Temovate), Tacrolimus (Protopic), Pimecrolimus (Elidel), Desonide, Alclometasone dipropionate, Mometasone furoate, Desoximetasone, Prednicarbate, Diflorasone Diacetate, Amcinonide |
| Acne, Rosacea | Acne vulgaris | Acne is caused by the stimulated sebaceous glands at the time of puberty, leading to the inflammation of skin surface. | Metronidazole, Isoretinol (Accutane), Benzoyl peroxide, Dapsone, Azelaic acid, Clindamycin, Erythomycin, Sodium sulfacetamide, Adapalene, Tretinoin |
| The exact cause of rosacea is still unknown, but many factors, such as genetic, emotional, and sun exposure may trigger and aggravate rosacea. | |||
| Psoriasis | Psoriasis vulgaris | The exact cause remains unknown. There may be a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental factors triggering cell proliferation out of control. | Hydrocortisone, Calcipotriene (Dovonex), Anthralin, Lactic acid (AmLactin, Lac-Hydrin), Tacrolimus (Protopic), Pimecrolimus (Elidel) |
| Vitiligo | Vitiligo | A disorder that causes depigmentation of patches of skin | Corticosteroid, Tacrolimus (Protopic), Pimecrolimus (Elidel) |
| Actinic/solar keratosis, skin cancer | Actinic/solar keratosis | Due to sun exposure and UV radiation and weakening of the immune system | 5-fluouracil (Efudex, Fluoroplex), Imiquimod (Aldara), Diclofenac (Voltaren, Solaraze) |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | |||
| Basal cell carcinoma | |||
| Loss of hair | Androgenic alopecia | Due to hormonal changes, inflammation damages/scars, autoimmune disease, and other reasons, hair follicles may have a shorter growth period and produce thinner and shorter hair shafts. | Minoxidil, Anthralin, Cyclosporine |
| Cicatricial alopecia | |||
| Alopecia areata | |||
| Damaged skin | Fine wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, tactile, roughness of facial skin | Photo-damaged skin | Tretinoin |
| Local dermal anesthesia | – | Dermal anesthetic product to numb the skin | Benzocaine, Lidocaine, Tetracaine, Prilocaine |
| Pediculosis | Head lice | Chemical treatment of pediculosis | Lindane, Permethrin, Pyrethrin, Piperonyl Butoxide, Malathion |