Originally appeared as Ask the Vet by Dr. Shawn Ashley in Pug Talk Magazine (March/April 91 & Jan/Feb 93)
Glucocorticoids are hormones naturally secreted by the body's adrenal gland. Primarily they are used in various metabolic processes of the body. Secondarily, they aid in allowing an individual the capacity to resist environmental change and all types of noxious stimuli (shock, stress, etc.)
Clucocorticesteroids or 'cortisones' have been utilized in the medical field for their secondary effects such as immune suppression in organ transplants, chemotherapy in cancer patients, to increase cardiac output in victims of shock, to stimulate appetites in anorexic individuals to name a few.
One of their most common uses is their anti-allergic effects as they alter tissue responses to histamine release and suppress inflammatory responses. Their effects can be quite helpful or short term calming of an out of control hypersensitivity (allergy); however, for long term use the other aspects of corticosteroids must be addressed --mainly those of decreased immunity.
Also, since the body naturally secretes cortisones upon demand, dosing of steroids most be graduated and never haphazard. In conjunction with antihistamines, steroids have their place in allergy therapy but they are not a cure.
If steroid usage is increasing and results decreasing it would be recommended to allergy test. There are many causes of skin allergies - - hayfever (atopy), food, contact, insect bites (fleas!), etc. Intradermal skin testing with subsequent allergy shots can truly treat the cause, not just suppress the symptoms.