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A recent study from the University of Gothenburg has provided substantial insights into the painful experiences reported by patients when tapering off cortisone cream for atopic eczema, a phenomenon increasingly described as Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).
This information is crucial for healthcare providers to better understand and manage the symptoms of TSW, ensuring informed discussions and decisions regarding eczema treatment and cortisone cream use.
A study led by the University of Gothenburg delves into the narrative of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) as experienced by patients tapering off cortisone cream for atopic eczema. The study used a social media questionnaire to gather data from nearly 100 individuals, primarily women aged 18–39, on their symptoms and perceptions of TSW. Findings indicate varied definitions and manifestations of TSW, often seen as dependency on cortisone with symptoms like redness and pain mirroring an exacerbation of atopic eczema. The study underscores the importance of healthcare professionals in these discussions to mitigate fears and misinformation about cortisone use.
Healthcare professionals should recognize and address patient concerns about TSW.
Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) is not yet formally defined in medical literature, but understanding patient-reported experiences is crucial.
Patients express distressing symptoms and dependency perceptions, indicating a need for clinical understanding.
The data from patient-reported symptoms suggest patterns typical of a withdrawal syndrome, guiding further investigation.
Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) is described by patients as severe skin reactions resulting from the reduction or cessation of cortisone cream. Although not officially recognized in medical diagnoses, TSW is increasingly cited among eczema patients, suggesting a perceived dependence on these medications.
“We wanted to gain more knowledge about how those who identify as suffering from TSW define the phenomenon and which symptoms they describe,” says Mikael Alsterholm, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg.
Such insights emphasize the disconnect between patient experiences and existing medical guidelines, highlighting the need for further clinical investigation and professional awareness.
Effective patient education about cortisone use can help mitigate anxiety and misinformation.
Accurate information and patient education can alleviate fears related to steroid use and withdrawal.
Misinformation on social media contributes to pervasive fear and misunderstanding regarding cortisone creams.
The spread of information via social platforms often parallels public health misinformation narratives, underscoring the need for evidence-based patient education.
With increasing discourse about TSW on social media, patients often gain information that lacks scientific backing, leading to 'corticophobia' and unnecessary anxiety. This emphasizes a critical role for healthcare providers in offering evidence-based guidance.
“Cortisone cream is an effective and safe treatment for most people... there's no support for avoiding its use for fear of the types of symptoms described in the context of TSW,” said Mikael Alsterholm.
Education grounded in scientific evidence can help patients make informed decisions about their treatment, reducing the spread of corticophobia and enhancing patient trust in medical advice.
Further research should aim to define TSW and explore its pathophysiology.
Clearly defining TSW will enable better diagnosis and management strategies.
Without clinical definitions, healthcare providers struggle to address these concerns effectively.
Observing symptoms and patient reports leads to hypotheses about underlying mechanisms, serving as a basis for defining TSW.
As the understanding of TSW remains limited, further research is crucial to establish a clinical definition that aligns with patient experiences. This could allow for better diagnosis, management, and patient support.
“To do this, we first need to define TSW. While we understand that this is complicated, we hope that this study can help establish such a definition,” Mikael Alsterholm concluded.
Defining TSW could help reconcile the gap between patient experiences and medical practice, fostering a collaborative approach to managing eczema treatments.
Alsterholm, M. et al. (2025). Topical Steroid Withdrawal in Atopic Dermatitis: Patient-reported Characterization from a Swedish Social Media Questionnaire. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v105.40187
Alsterholm, M. (2025). Painful skin when tapering cortisone cream. Medical Xpress. Accessed January 22, 2025. URL: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-painful-skin-tapering-cortisone-cream.html