Best treatments for scalp dermatoses
5 products may treat scalp dermatoses, spanning FDA drug classes such as corticosteroid. The current highest-rated option is clocortolone pivalate. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 5 drugs we list for scalp dermatoses, all are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as corticosteroid. 3 of 5 carry a safety score, from 72 to 72 out of 100. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for scalp dermatoses — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Top-rated picks for scalp dermatoses: 1. Clocortolone Pivalate · 2. Desonide · 3. Desoximetasone
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Topical | Corticosteroid | Generic | $5 | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Topical | Corticosteroid | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 3 | 72/100 | Prescription | Topical | Corticosteroid | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 4 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Corticosteroid | Generic | $5 | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Corticosteroid | Generic | $0 | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: corticosteroid
Full ranking · 5 treatments
clocortolone pivalate
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Clocortolone Pivalate is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
$5.21 /g
Save up to 97% in classdesonide
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Desonide is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.23· 3 forms Save up to 50% in classdesoximetasone
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Desoximetasone is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.33· 6 forms Save up to 64% in classcloderm
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cloderm (Clocortolone Pivalate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
$5.21 /g
Save up to 97% in classdesowen
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Desowen (Desonide) is a corticosteroid used to treat Facial Dermatoses, Foot Dermatoses, Hand Dermatoses, Inflammation.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.23· 3 forms Save up to 50% in classFrequently asked
- What treats scalp dermatoses?
- Our catalog lists 5 products that may treat scalp dermatoses, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is clocortolone pivalate.
- What is the best-rated treatment for scalp dermatoses?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — clocortolone pivalate ranks highest among the products we list for scalp dermatoses. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat scalp dermatoses?
- Treatments for scalp dermatoses span FDA drug classes including corticosteroid. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.
Where this ranking comes from
Our score is computed from public FDA data — not from opinion, sponsorship or user votes. How we rate.
- FDA Drug Enforcement (recall) database — the recall history behind the safety score
- DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) — the FDA labels we quote for uses, dosing and warnings
- Drugs@FDA — approvals, strengths and marketing status