#Cure my addiction chloe new punishment skin#

#Cure my addiction chloe new punishment skin#

Initially, when topical steroids are used the skin can sting when applied, this usually improves as the skin gets used to treatment and moisturisers can be used to control this. It is then your responsibility to follow their advice and application instructions. 'Your doctor should advise you and prescribe the best option for your needs with the lowest risk of side effects. The stronger they are, the more they can reduce inflammation, but care must be taken as continued use of high-strength steroids is more likely to result in side effects. 'Topical steroids come in different strengths from mild to very potent.

I don’t recommend trying to navigate steroid use without a doctor's supervision.' Are steroids bad for eczema? 'In most cases, topical steroids are recommended to be used sparingly in short bursts or just a couple of times a week rather than daily. However, it is extremely important to follow the application instructions given by your doctor in order to prevent side effects and reliance. 'Topical steroids can help eczema and they are a very useful treatment to control flares when used properly and in combination with emollient moisturisers. Using emollients is important long term as they protect the skin barrier both between and during flares,' explains Dr Vyas. 'Treatment of eczema begins with the use of emollients (moisturisers) multiple times a day to rehydrate and soothe the skin, these are often also used for bathing as soap can further dry out and irritate the skin. Topical steroids (or corticosteroids) are creams and ointments that work by reducing inflammation in the skin and therefore minimise symptoms of eczema. Patches of skin become very red in lighter skin types, or darker in skin of colour and in all cases eczema can be very sore with swelling and cracks in severe cases,' explains Dr Vyas. 'Those who are prone to it experience recurrent flares of irritation, itching, and dryness. Here's everything you need to know.Ītopic dermatitis (as it’s officially known) is a chronic inflammatory skin that is caused by an overactive immune system and abnormal skin barrier. It is also more common in adult women who use moderate to high potency topical corticosteroids on the face and genital area.'Īs we move into eczema awareness month, WH sheds some light on TSW, along with one woman's journey on tackling the issue.

However, a systematic review of current findings in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology by the National Eczema Association has found that TSW is more common with prolonged use of daily topical steroids in more sensitive areas, without breaks and tapering doses. Moreover, Dr Vyas adds that 'there is still a lack of research on TSW – so it is difficult to define exactly what the triggers are and how common the condition is. Here, symptoms include burning, weeping, flaking, shedding, peeling, spreading, swelling, redness, wrinkling, thin skin, pus-filled bumps, cracking, itching, nodules, pain, insomnia, hair loss, shivering, fatigue and depression. Yet a condition that can arise with prolonged use is topical steroid withdrawal, also known as TSW.

'These can help eczema and they are a very useful treatment to control flares when used properly and in combination with emollient moisturisers,' explains facial aesthetics doctor Dr Amiee Vyas, of online skin clinic, Get Harley. It also found that 75 percent of those surveyed had felt 'helpless', 'anxious', 'depressed', or 'socially isolated.'Ī common treatment that's often recommended is topical steroids – creams, ointments, lotions or gels via which steroids are applied directly to your skin. Whether it's a red and itchy flare-up or patches of dry, sore skin, eczema can be a debilitating skin condition for the 15 million people who are estimated to have it in the UK.Ī recent survey conducted by the National Eczema Society revealed that 89 per cent of adults with eczema said it had significantly reduced their quality of life.