Topical Steroid Withdrawal

Topical steroid withdrawal or TSW has been reported in thousands of people who apply steroids and then discontinue their use. 

For some, it may only take 2 weeks... But for me, the steroids lasted me 23 years before they finally stopped working!

Steroids are known to cause thinning of the skin or skin atrophy. 

This is a well recognised side effect of steroids. 

It's true that potent to super potent topical corticosteroids can cause skin atrophy if applied too frequently and for a prolonged amount of time without a break. 

Topical steroid addiction (TSA) is characterised by uncontrollable, spreading dermatitis and worsening skin inflammation, which requires a stronger topical steroid to get the same result as the first prescription. This cycle is known as steroid addiction syndrome. [7] 

When topical steroid medication is stopped, the skin experiences redness, burning, a deep uncontrollable itch, scabs, hot skin, swelling, stinging, hives or oozing. 

This is exactly what happened to me. 

As the steroid creams ceased to work, the doctors prescribed me higher and higher drug potencies, until eventually, there was no higher steroid I could use... 

The only way out was withdrawal. 

Many cases of this have been reported in both adults and children.[2][1] 

For this reason, TSW is also known as 'red burning skin syndrome'. 

After the withdrawal period is over, the atopic dermatitis can cease or is less severe than it was before.[8] 

Treatment involves discontinuing the use of topical steroids,[2] either gradually or suddenly. 

That is, some choose to wean off the steroid creams by applying it less and less and diluting its potency with moisturisers, or for me, I simply stopped cold turkey. 

There are thousands in online communities, all sharing their stories of TSW, supporting one another throughout the healing process

Many still suffer to this day.