Topical steroids linked to skin withdrawal side effects
To coincide with National Eczema week the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is publishing the outcome of a comprehensive national review and have released updated guidelines on Topical Steroid use for Eczema and other skin conditions.
“Topical corticosteroids are medicines applied directly to the skin to treat conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Patients can experience topical steroid withdrawal reactions after using these products at least daily for long periods of time*. It is not unusual for skin conditions to flare up or return shortly after stopping topical corticosteroids. However, very infrequently (the TSW community will beg to differ here), a severe type of topical steroid withdrawal reaction can occur, which may also be known as Red Skin Syndrome (RSS), Topical Steroid Addiction (TSA) or Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).
Signs of severe topical steroid withdrawal reactions include redness of the skin which can be a spectrum of pink to purple, or as darkening of the normal skin tone, depending on the skin tone of the individual. Other signs include burning or stinging, intense itching, peeling of the skin, or oozing open sores. These signs may occur days or weeks after stopping treatment and are known to occur after *as little as 2 months of continuous treatment in children.
Examples of topical steroids include beclometasone, betamethasone, clobetasol, hydrocortisone, mometasone, and triamcinolone.”
We aren’t just talking about prescribed medications here, hydrocortisone can be bought over the counter at your local chemist or supermarket for just a few pounds.
I’ve posted the link to the full release below because if this information helps one person suffering with eczema or helps one parent make a more informed decision about their child’s treatment then it’s worth it.
If you have been affected by this article then please reach out, sadly I have first hand experience of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (and immunosuppressant Protopic/Elidel withdrawal) and would love to support you Naturopathically. You don’t have to suffer and navigate this alone.
There is also more information about Topical Steroid Addiction on the International Topical Steroid Awareness Network (ITSAN) website.