The skin is the largest and heaviest organ in the human body, making up about 15% of our total body weight. Considering the amount of skin in our body, skin disorders are one of the most irritating conditions that anyone could have due to the accompanying pain it brings and aesthetic discomforts.

Most of the time, skin diseases are treated with topical substances that effectively mitigate the symptoms. However, there are instances where these products that are supposed to ease skin conditions appear to add to the problem in the long run.

Woman With Topical Steroid Withdrawal Found Remedy from Healing Holiday

(Photo: Pexels/ Karolina Grabowska)

Addressing Pain That Is More Than Skin Deep

Josie North suffers from a severe skin condition that has persisted for 16 months. It started when she had mild eczema and was advised to undergo steroid treatment for one month in December 2021. When she began reducing the therapy, eczema returned and invaded her body and face. While she was repeatedly given more and more steroids, she never knew she had a condition known as topical steroid withdrawal (TSW).

The corticosteroids in topical steroid treatments help reduce inflammation in skin conditions such as eczema. However, some people experience severe and painful rashes when these steroid treatments are stopped. In North's case, she also suffered from an eczema complication known as weeping, where the skin produces fluid-filled blisters.

North found a temporary cure most unexpectedly. She spent a three-day holiday in Fuerteventura, Spain, and during her vacation, she noticed that 90 percent of her skin had been healed. The symptoms flared up again when she returned to the U.K., but she tried experimenting with a new treatment.

Combining the seemingly good effects of the sun and the sea, North used Dead Sea salts as a temporary treatment. She bathes her face in a solution of water and Dead Sea salts daily, and 90 percent of her face looks glowing afterward.

North shares her experiences in TikTok to help spread awareness about her skin condition and to provide support for people like her who suffer from TSW. She also reminds eczema patients to consider other healing options before taking steroids.

What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal?

For 50 years, topical corticosteroids (TCS) and hydrocortisone creams have been used to treat eczema. Since there is currently no affordable alternative with the same level of effectiveness as TCS, this product remains the most effective and widely used drug in dermatology. However, when moderate- or high-potency topical steroids are stopped after prolonged use, it can lead to a rare adverse reaction known as topical steroid withdrawal.

Also known as red-burning skin and asteroid dermatitis, TSW refers to symptoms that may appear days and weeks after a person discontinues using TCS. These symptoms include flaking skin, pus-filled bumps, and swelling in affected areas. If it persists for a more extended period of time, it can cause depression and disability.

The mechanism behind TSW is still unknown, and dermatologists still have a long way to go before fully understanding it. Experts suggest supporting people who prefer not to use topical steroids for their skin disorders and encouraging them to manage their conditions using better alternatives.