Corticosteroids have side effects. Suppression of the immune system is necessary in the treatment of eczema as the disease is, in large part, a malfunction of the immune system that causes the skin to act as. Hydrocortisone or desonide steroids are used for mild cases.

The number of types of eczema seems to only be exceeded by the number of types of treatments. There isn't a cure for eczema, only treatments. Corticosteroids ointments are the most commonly used treatment for eczema. Used for a long period they cause atrophy of the epidermis, which is a thinning of the surface level layer of the dermis (the scientific name for skin).

Com types of eczema are atopic eczema (a hereditary allergic disease), contact dermatitis (an allergic irritation reaction), xerotic eczema (dry skin that resists topical remedies) and seborrhoeic dermatitis (cradle cap, a type of severe dandruff). They are also absorbed into the body and over time will suppress the immune system, as all steroids do. For more persistent eczema higher-strength corticosteroids like triamcinolone or clobetasone butyrate are used. Eczema is an umbrella term for a number of different types of recurring skin inflammations.

The steroidal compounds clobetasol propionate or fluocinonide are used in the worst cases.