Eczema & psoriasis sufferers warned of steroid withdrawal

If you have clients who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is warning about severe skin withdrawal symptoms after long-term use of topical steroid products. 

Corticosteroid creams such as beclometasone, betamethasone, clobetasol, hydrocortisone, mometasone, and triamcinolone are prescribed by medical professionals as a safe and effective treatment for eczema and psoriasis in adults and children. 

However, upon stopping daily use of these topical creams, withdrawal reactions such as a flare up or return of the condition may occur. Reactions can include skin redness and a burning sensation worse than the original skin condition. In some people signs of severe topical steroid withdrawal may be seen, including redness of the skin on a spectrum of pink to purple or darkening of their normal skin tone, as well as burning or stinging, intense itching, peeling of the skin, or oozing open sores.

Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer of UK government agency the MHRA, explains:

“When used correctly, topical corticosteroids are a safe and effective treatment for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. However, a withdrawal reaction following long term use of these products can lead to skin redness and a burning sensation worse than the original skin condition. These reactions can be hard to distinguish from the original skin condition.

“Patients should follow their healthcare professional's advice on where, how often and for how long to use topical corticosteroids. Patients experiencing symptoms after stopping their topical steroid treatment should contact a healthcare professional for guidance. We advise anyone experiencing potential withdrawal symptoms to speak to their healthcare professional before starting to use these products again. Suspected adverse side effects can be reported to us through the Yellow Card scheme.”