Drug Delivery

The administration of medications for skin disorders can be applied topically, injected intralesionally, or given systemically. Photodynamic therapy may be added to treat disorders such as psoriasis or skin cancers.

Topical medications have the advantage of treating skin disorders locally without systemic side effects. Therapy can be monitored easily based upon clinical outcomes provided by direct visualization. Adverse drug interactions are rare when patients receive topical therapy.

Medications may need to be given systemically in skin diseases that are severe or extensive. Bacterial or viral infections may not respond to local topical therapy. Spirochetal, rickettsial, deep fungal and mycobacterial infections must be treated by systemic administration of proper therapeutic agents.