Eczema & Topical Steroid Addiction & Withdrawl

Topical corticosteroid creams are commonly used to treat eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Some of the dangers of “episodic” care such as walk in clinics and telemedicine (Babylon Telus Health and other telemedicine providers) are overprescribing, repeat refills and no in person follow up.

Patients using corticosteroid creams for long periods of time may develop a tolerance and require a stronger corticosteroids like betamethasone. When used for longer periods of time, people can suffer severe skin withdrawal symptoms. Signs of severe topical steroid withdrawal include redness of the skin which can be a shade of pink or purple (Red Skin Syndrome). Other signs can include burning, stinging, intense itching, peeling or oozing and even open sores. These signs may occur days or weeks after stopping treatment for as little as 2 months.

Corticosteroids are classified by potency levels (1 highest and 7 lowest) and examples are beclomethasone, betamethasone, clobetasol, hydorcortisone, mometasone, and triamcinolone. Many patients rely on corticosteroids  to manage their eczema not knowing that withdrawal can be very troublesome as the steroids are easily absorbed by the skin.