What is a "corticosteroid"?

What is a "corticosteroid"?

Corticosteroids are cortisone like medications that are the most potent allergy medications that are used. They're used in many forms from inhalation in the nose and in the lungs, to injection, to pills and the like. They're often used after the more common medications are used which have not had a good results. In other words in patients that have allergies and are taking an antihistamine and a decongestant but are still not getting good relief, then an inhaled nasal corticosteroid may be inhaled, or a cortisone type medication by mouth (pills) would be helpful or could be helpful. The problem with inhaled corticosteroid or oral corticosteroids is that they have greater potential for side effects than the other medications, and the side effects with chronic use can be serious. They might include things like high blood pressure, ulcers, development of diabetes, cataracts, and skin changes such as acne. They're not a trivial medication.