[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 29 Apr 2002 23:18:40: Foreskin treatment
As an answer to: Re: foreskin treatment using betamethasone written by Will at 29 Apr 2002 13:28:21:
>I'm not, however, familiar with the product you mentioned, possibly Paul B, could comment for you.
Thanks Will, actually, I already did! As to the product, well, isn't the internet wonderful! (:-) It turns out that HC45 is simply "plain old" Hydrocortisone Acetate 1% w/w cream, the strongest topical corticosteroid available "OTC" (Over the Counter) in first-world countries.
> If there is a warning on a product NOT to use it on the genitals, I would certainly heed it.
Reasonable enough, and in fact this warning must be present on all such products, even more so on the stronger ones, though in their case, the prescribing doctor would be expected to make the determination. But of course, once the patient has the cream for their arm, and develops itchy genitals, they are just as likely to ... aren't they? (;-)
Anyway, I have, I hope sufficiently, explained the reason for the warning, and thereby the conditions under which it can be safely ignored.
> Keep in mind the manufacturer is in business to sell product and they would be quick to the mark to promote its use on any condition they could substantiate in trials.
Perhaps, but these are very old products, and are generally assumed to have full market penetration already. Marketing "push" is directed toward newer products, such as Mometasone furoate (Elocon, Novasone, Nasonex and a dozen other names) which are advertised as "safer" with the claim that they do not have the very effect (weakening of the skin matrix) which is desired for this application - foreskin stretching. So we are not going to see any interest from drug manufacturers.