A new lotion formulation of 0.05% desonide was compared with 0.05% desonide cream in a single (investigator)-blind, randomized, paired bilateral comparison study in the treatment of eczematous dermatitis. Eighteen patients with bilateral dermatitis, who would normally be treated with a low- to mid-potency topical corticosteroid, were eligible for entry into the study. A 7-day washout period was required for any potentially interfering therapy. Both treatments were given three times daily for up to 3 weeks. Patients were seen at study entry (baseline), and at 1, 2, and 3 weeks of treatment. Fifteen (83%) of the 18 patients completed the study. Of those, 12 patients completed all 3 weeks of treatment and 3 patients cleared bilaterally before week 3. Two patients were lost to follow-up and 1 patient whose condition worsened was dropped from the study early in order to receive alternative treatment. The overall mean severity score was significantly decreased ( P = 0.0002) for both the lotion and the cream from moderate at baseline to mild, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments. Few patients experienced stinging or burning (4 of 18) or general irritation (2 of 18). Based on the results of this study, we conclude that desonide lotion is a safe and effective medication for treating the signs and symptoms of eczematous dermatitis and is equal in efficacy to desonide in a cream formulation.