The story plays out the same way time and time again: someone develops a small patch of eczema on the body and is prescribed a mild steroid cream by their doctor. The cream clears the eczema patch as if by magic. The patch of eczema resurfaces, and the patient uses the cream again. Over time, a pattern develops of treating the eczema with the cream, with the eczema spreading and becoming more difficult to control. The doctor prescribes stronger and stronger creams to treat the condition, with the patient using super potent steroid creams daily to try and keep the condition under control.
This is not the way that steroid creams are meant to be used. A doctor should explain that usage of steroid creams should be limited to a seven day period. Using these creams daily for a period of months, weeks or even years can lead to the development of a condition called red skin syndrome.
Red Skin Syndrome Symptoms
People suffering from red skin syndrome find that they get terrible flare-ups when they try to stop using their steroid medication. They may find that their skin cannot tolerate any kind of moisturising creams or oinments and even very basic emollients such as Vaseline may provoke a skin reaction.
Typically, sufferers use increasingly potent steroids to control their condition, even using creams belonging to friends and family if the doctor denies a prescription, a typical sign of steroid addiction.
Skin flares occur at more regular intervals than previously, eventually leading to a permanent red and sore appearance of the skin on the face or body, due to vascular dilation, accompanied by intense itching sensations.
Treating Red Skin Syndrome
Many doctors deny that this syndrome exists. After all, it would mean admitting that topical steroid creams can harm the body, and possibly lead to legal action by people suffering from the condition. However, some doctors, in particular Dr Marvin Rapaport MD and Dr Mototsugu Fukaya MD have reported success in treating and eventually curing this condition, reversing all of the bad effects caused by steroid use.
The treatment has been described as "hell", as it involved going cold turkey and stopping use of the steroid creams altogether rather than weaning off them slowly. The doctors argue that this is the only way to cure this condition. Stopping the creams will cause an immediate "rebound effect", where the skin will react by becoming inflamed, cracking and oozing as the blood vessels are no longer being artificially supressed by the creams.
Recovery may take over a year, with the patient alternating between periods of flare and periods of calm. Doctors may prescribe painkillers, antibiotics and antidepressants to help the patient to cope during this difficult withdrawal phase. Dr Rapaport claims to have had a 100% success method with this form of treatment, with patient eventualy experiencing clear skin with no flare ups for several years.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice .
Sources:
Atopy Steriod Addiction in Japan by Dr M. Fuyaka MD
Corticosteriod Addiction by Dr Marvin Rapaport MD
Louise Jones - I have always enjoyed writing as a hobby, but started writing reviews online in February 2010 for Dooyoo, and later Ciao. In the beginning ...
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