Final answer:
Hydrocortisone is the least potent topical steroid among the options provided. It is used to manage minor skin irritations by reducing inflammation and histamine production but does not treat the underlying cause of skin conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the given topical steroids is the least potent. Of the options provided, C. Hydrocortisone is typically considered the least potent topical steroid. Hydrocortisone is a mild corticosteroid that is often used to manage minor skin irritations, itching, and rashes by reducing inflammation and histamine production. This makes it less potent compared to other steroids listed, such as Diprosone (betamethasone dipropionate), Cormax (clobetasol propionate), and fluocinonide, which are more potent and used for more severe skin conditions.
The use of hydrocortisone does not treat the cause of skin conditions like rashes, but rather manages the symptoms by suppressing the immune response and inflammation. In clinical settings, it's important to note that while corticosteroids like hydrocortisone can provide symptomatic relief, they do not address the underlying cause of conditions, as evident in clinical focus stories such as Penny's use of a moisturizing cream and David's management of Crohn's disease symptoms with prescription corticosteroids.