The purpose of this study was the formulation and clinical evaluation of a steroid solution for the treatment of oral disease. The steroid used for this work was hydrocortisone and its solubility was increased by complex formation with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. In a clinical efficacy study of the hydrocortisone solution in 50 patients, there were no reports of ill effects and no side effects such as erythema or superinfection were noticed. Of those treated, 78% showed improvement, with 48% showing considerable clinical improvement. The preliminary clinical observations show that this hydrocortisone solution was easy to use, had a clinical efficacy that compares well with much more potent preparations and thus should help to minimise the prevalence of harmful side effects of the treatment of these distressing conditions.