From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
For a 54-year-old woman with vesicular rash on hands and ankles, the most appropriate oral steroid treatment would be prednisone starting at 40-60mg daily for 5-7 days, followed by a gradual taper over 2-3 weeks, as this approach balances the need to suppress inflammation with the risk of side effects, as discussed in the context of corticosteroid use 1. This treatment strategy is based on the principle of using the minimum effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to minimize the risk of adverse effects, such as suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which can occur with prolonged use of corticosteroids 1. Key considerations include:
- Taking the medication with food to minimize stomach irritation
- Monitoring for side effects including increased blood sugar, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and fluid retention
- Completing the full course as prescribed and not stopping abruptly
- Using moisturizers regularly and avoiding potential irritants
- The importance of a proper diagnosis by a dermatologist, as vesicular rashes can have various causes including contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, or fungal infections, each requiring specific approaches It's also worth noting that while the provided studies discuss various aspects of steroid use and immune system modulation 2, and other unrelated conditions like urinary retention in elderly women 3, the most relevant and recent guidance on corticosteroid use comes from the study on clinical pharmacology of corticosteroids 1.