This article is about the consequences of topical steroids. For other uses, see Burn and Sunburn.
Medical condition
Topical steroid withdrawal
Other names
Topical steroid addiction, steroid dermatitis, red burning skin syndrome, red skin syndrome, iatrogenic exfoliative dermatitis (idiopathic erythroderma)[1]
Red burning skin syndrome from topical steroids. Face pattern with nose sign and spared palms (soles also spared)
Specialty
Dermatology
Symptoms
Red skin, burning sensation, desquamation, itchiness[2]
Causes
Stopping topical steroids after frequent long-term use[2]
Prevention
Using steroid creams for less than two weeks[2][3]
Frequency
Not known[2]
Topical steroid withdrawal, also known as red burning skin and steroid dermatitis, has been reported in people who apply topical steroids for 2 weeks or longer and then discontinue use.[4][5][2][1] Symptoms affect the skin and include redness, a burning sensation, and itchiness,[2] which may then be followed by peeling.[2]
This condition generally requires the daily application of a topical steroid for more than 2 weeks but sometimes can occur with even less steroid use. It appears to be a specific adverse effect of topical corticosteroid use.[6] People with atopic dermatitis are most at risk.[3]
Treatment involves discontinuing the use of topical steroids,[2] either gradually or suddenly.[2] Counselling and cold compresses may also help.[2] Thousands of people congregate in online communities to support one another throughout the healing process, and cases have been reported in both adults and children.[2][1] It was first described in 1979.[3]
^ abcJuhász ML, Curley RA, Rasmussen A, Malakouti M, Silverberg N, Jacob SE (September–October 2017). "Systematic review of the topical steroid addiction and topical steroid withdrawal phenomenon in children diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and treated with topical corticosteroids". Journal of the Dermatology Nurses' Association. 9 (5): 233–240. doi:10.1097/JDN.0000000000000331. S2CID 80154596.
^ abcdefghijk"Topical corticosteroid withdrawal". DermNet NZ. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
^ abcSheary B (June 2016). "Topical corticosteroid addiction and withdrawal - An overview for GPs". Australian Family Physician. 45 (6): 386–388. PMID 27622228.
^Nnoruka EN, Daramola OO, Ike SO (2007). "Misuse and abuse of topical steroids: implications". Expert Review of Dermatology. 2 (1): 31–40. doi:10.1586/17469872.2.1.31. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
^Rathi SK, D'Souza P (July 2012). "Rational and ethical use of topical corticosteroids based on safety and efficacy". Indian Journal of Dermatology. 57 (4): 251–259. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.97655. PMC 3401837. PMID 22837556.
^Hajar T, Leshem YA, Hanifin JM, Nedorost ST, Lio PA, Paller AS, et al. (March 2015). "A systematic review of topical corticosteroid withdrawal ("steroid addiction") in patients with atopic dermatitis and other dermatoses". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 72 (3): 541–549.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2014.11.024. PMID 25592622.
and 28 Related for: Topical steroid withdrawal information
time. This is also called 'red skin syndrome' or 'topicalsteroidwithdrawal' (TSW). After the withdrawal period is over the atopic dermatitis can cease...
Steroid-induced rosacea is an iatrogenic condition (induced by the physician or patient) from the use of either systemic steroid or topicalsteroids. It...
shampoos often contain sodium dodecyl sulfate, a noted skin irritant. Steroid and tar preparations have also been used but may have drawbacks.[clarification...
part of the New Territories, Hong Kong, in Yuen Long District Topicalsteroidwithdrawal Trader's and Scheduler's Workbench, Oil & Gas functionality for...
Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are a class of drugs that are structurally related to testosterone, the main male...
caused by increased blood flow in the superficial capillaries Topicalsteroidwithdrawal, also known as red burning skin Sunburn, a form of radiation burn...
effectiveness by altering the estrogen chemical structure for topical or oral administration. Synthetic steroid estrogens include ethinyl estradiol, estradiol valerate...
benzoyl peroxide, and tretinoin. Steroid-induced rosacea is caused by the use of topicalsteroids. These steroids are often prescribed for seborrheic...
Prednisolone is a corticosteroid, a steroid hormone used to treat certain types of allergies, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and cancers...
as a steroidal antiandrogen, even though it is not an antagonist of the AR. There has been much interest and effort in the development of topical AR antagonists...
where the skin turns red upon stopping steroid use, has been reported among adults who use topicalsteroids at least daily for more than a year. There...
Julie; Simpson, Eric L. (2015). "A systematic review of topical corticosteroid withdrawal ("steroid addiction") in patients with atopic dermatitis and other...
(Benadryl) and hydroxyzine Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone topical cream, see topicalsteroid Counterirritants, such as mint oil, menthol, or camphor Local...
paradoxically TNF inhibitors such as infliximab or adalimumab. Withdrawal of corticosteroids (topicalsteroid cream) can aggravate psoriasis due to the rebound effect...
Progesterone (P4) is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other...
into a muscle, as an injection into a vein, as a topical cream or ointment for the skin or as a topical ophthalmic solution to the eye. The effects of dexamethasone...
medicamentosa especially with use of intranasal steroid like fluticasone furoate. The treatment of RM involves withdrawal of the offending nasal spray or oral medication...
excessive hair growth in women. It is usually taken orally but there are topical formulations for patients with hair loss, designed to minimize systemic...
implantable pump device). It is also sometimes used transdermally (applied topically to the skin) in combination with gabapentin and clonidine prepared at...
hazards of topical anesthetics entering the bloodstream when applied in large doses to the skin without medical supervision. These topical anesthetics...
use. It can be given orally (by mouth), transdermal (on the skin via a topical gel or patch), intravenously (IV) (injection into a vein), or intramuscularly...
ointment (steroid cream), irritants (anthralin or topical coal tar), and topical immunotherapy ciclosporin, sometimes in different combinations. Topical corticosteroids...
selective topical retinoid, has demonstrated effectiveness. While steroids are generally ineffective for ichthyosis vulgaris, a mild topicalsteroid could...
Budesonide, sold under the brand name Pulmicort, among others, is a steroid medication. It is available as an inhaler, nebulization solution, pill, nasal...
diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone topical cream; see topicalsteroid Counterirritants, such as mint oil, menthol, or camphor Crotamiton...
includes a combination of topical agents. Triple combination creams formulated with hydroquinone, tretinoin, and a steroid component have shown to be...