“I’ve heard of eczema but what is topical steroid withdrawal?”
The two are very different but closely related.
As you may know, eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions characterized by red, itchy, and inflamed skin.
Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) is an iatrogenic condition caused by topical and oral steroids commonly prescribed to treat eczema. Overtime, the body can become dependent on these medications and once the user stops, life altering symptoms occur.
You might experience redness, intense burning, endless flaking, relentless oozing and an all consuming itch that is unlike your previous bouts with eczema. You might start to flare in places you never have before i.e ears, palms of hands and private areas. You might become disabled, highly sensitive to water and have to rely on your parents, friends or partners for help with everyday living. You might experience a loss of identity and no longer recognize yourself in the mirror. You might feel hopeless and depressed. If you’re reading this and can relate, please know that you are not alone.
There is no current medical cure to TSW but with time and research, we hope to see progress on that front.