Dr. Sushil Tahiliani, Dermatovenereologist, M.D., D.V. & D. Visiting Consultant, Hinduja Hospital & MRC
Corticosteroids are a group of molecules released by an endocrine gland called adrenal gland. So it's clear that corticosteroids are produced by our body and they have a very important role to play in health and disease. Philip Hench was awarded Nobel Prize in medicine in 1950 for demonstrating the therapeutic value of cortisone (factor E) derived from animal adrenal cortex in management of rheumatoid arthritis. Sulzberger and Witten (1952) demonstrated the therapeutic value of hydrocortisone (factor F) ointment in management of eczema. We must realize that prior to this discovery, there was no reliable safe method to treat eczema and there used to be wards in hospitals where eczema cases used to be admitted and their limbs were splinted to prevent them from scratching and damaging their skin! With modifications in the structure of hydrocortisone molecule, more potent versions were soon created.