A trial of hydrocortisone butyrate in the treatment of rosacea and perioral dermatitis

SUMMARY In a blind trial a non‐fluorinated steroid, 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate, was compared with 1% hydrocortisone alcohol on twenty‐eight patients suffering from steroid induced atrophy superimposed on rosacea and perioral dermatitis. The hydrocortisone butyrate did not behave like a fluorinated steroid, in that it did not prevent the beneficial effect of tetracycline nor the disappearance of telangiectasis and atrophy. In twenty‐eight patients, hydrocortisone butyrate was superior in fifteen, in six hydrocortisone alcohol, and in seven the results were equal. It is concluded that although hydrocortisone butyrate is as effective as triamcinolone acetonide or fluocinolone in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema, it does not prevent the recovery of steroid atrophy on the face, and thus may not even cause it.