Table 5. Clinical effectiveness of topical treatments on psoriasis symptoms.

Key feature of psoriasis	Corticosteroid	Vitamin D analogue	Cal/BD foam fixed-dose combinationa	Topical calcineurin inhibitor	Salicylic acid	Urea	Tarb
Redness	+++	+/++	+++	+/++c	0	0	+
Scaling	+	+/++d	++	0	+++	++	+
Thickness or infiltration	++	+/++	+++	+	0	0	++
Itching	++/+++	0	+++	++	0	+	++

Symbols represent clinical effectiveness, where + = somewhat effective and +++ = very effective; 0 represents no or minimal impact on the symptom. This information is based on the expert opinion and clinical experience of the authors and provides a suggested option for a given clinical scenario to contribute to an informed decision; it does not advise that a given treatment is warranted. Only the most commonly used vehicles are included in the Table. It is not intended as a comprehensive list. Clinical effectiveness is based on the active ingredients; overall effectiveness in the real world is also driven by patient adherence and the vehicle plays an important part in patient behaviour. ^aCal/BD is marketed by LEO Pharma, the sponsor of this work, under the tradenames (UK) Enstilar (Cal/BD foam) and Dovobet (Cal/BD gel and ointment). ^bUse of tar is country-specific: coal-tar preparations are used in the UK³² and elsewhere as part of the Goeckermann regimen³³; however, tar is rarely used in Switzerland, Austria, or Scandinavia. ^c++ = when used on face. ^dCream = +; ointment = ++.