A topical treatment is any medicine applied directly to the skin, such as creams, gels, ointments, lotions or foams. Dermatology relies heavily on topicals because they deliver medicine where it is needed while limiting effects on the rest of the body.
In Australia, many of the most effective topicals, including stronger corticosteroids and prescription retinoids, require a prescription. A doctor matches the active ingredient, strength and base to the condition and skin site, since the wrong strength in the wrong place can cause harm.