Ms B, a 16-year-old with an acute eczema flare, is prescribed a moderately potent topical corticosteroid. Which treatment would be most appropriate?

• A. Hydrocortisone 1% cream
• B. Dermovate 0.05% ointment
• C. Eumovate (clobetasone 0.05%) cream
• D. Topicort 0.1% ointment

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is choosing the right potency of topical corticosteroid for an adolescent with an acute eczema flare to balance efficacy and safety. For a teenager, a moderate-potency corticosteroid is usually sufficient to quell flare‑related inflammation and itch while minimizing risk of thinning the skin or systemic effects from overuse.

Clobetasone 0.05% cream is considered a moderate-potency option and is commonly used for non-face areas of eczema in older children and teens. It provides effective control of acute inflammation without the higher risk profile of very potent steroids. Hydrocortisone 1% is too mild to adequately treat an active flare in many cases. Dermovate, containing a very potent steroid, carries a higher risk of local side effects and potential systemic absorption and is generally avoided for routine use in adolescents. Topicort at 0.1% may be more potent than moderate, making it less appropriate as the first choice for a general adolescent flare unless a clinician judges it necessary for a specific site or pattern.

So, the best match is clobetasone 0.05% cream, as it offers effective relief of the acute flare with a safer potency profile for a 16-year-old. Use should be as directed, typically for a short course, and always with ongoing emollient care and a plan to step down.