What is topical steroid withdrawal

Are you suffering from Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) and don't realise it?

Topical steroid creams are often used to treat eczema and other skin conditions, as they can relieve common symptoms like itching and scaling.

TSW is a rare reaction to stopping the use of topical steroid creams.

It can result in a rash that is more severe and painful than the eczema it was originally used to treat. It appears as a wide-spread area of red skin, that may feel like it's burning or an intense itch all over the body, even in places where the rash was not present before, with the skin cycling between flare-ups, changing from itchy, to dry and peeling, to wet and oozing in some cases.

Sometimes what you may be using to treat the symptoms, is actually the cause of the worsening symptoms.

Topical Steroid Withdrawal symptoms can last a long time, depending on the amount of topical steroid used, the potency, and the area it was applied. In time, the flare ups will be less intense and less frequent. 

By nourishing the skin barrier, as opposed to thinning it, the skin will be more resilient and not break so easily when it is scratched. 

This also helps to minimise other skin infections such as bacteria, fungal and viruses that can colonise when the skin barrier is compromised.

Our products can help soothe the itch, reduce the redness, and help open, broken skin heal quicker by supporting the wound healing process. 

topical steroid withdrawal symptoms

Topical steroids aren’t always an answer

eczema flair up on arm after treatment
eczema flair up on arm before treatment

For more severe TSW symptoms, please consult your doctor who can also support you on your journey through this.

You can bring these recommendations to their attention.

If you are wanting to find a List of TSWS Supportive Doctor and Practitioners, we have a list for you here

DermaGen Complete TSW Pack

FG icon
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack
DERMAGEN Pack DermaGen Complete TSW Pack

DermaGen Complete TSW Pack

FG icon
Our complete TSW package can assist anyone who is suffering from TSW. We have a product to suit each different stages of TSW, which can re-occur and cycle until the withdrawal period is over.
SKIN STAGES:
  1. Red, burning, diffused redness, red skin syndrome or sleeves: An ice pack or cool shower is good to cool the skin. Wet wrapping can also relieve the burning sensation and cool the skin. Sometimes the skin can be very sensitive or reactive and every product especially creams with preservatives, acid or alcohol, can sting. Even contact with water can feel like it hurts. The Balm or Serum can be applied at this stage, but sometimes it may feel better not to have contact with anything for a while. The Menthol and Lavender Balm is also very soothing and the cooling sensation of Menthol can bring some relief to the hot, burning or itchy sensation. Put the Balms in the fridge if you wanted a more cooling effect.
  2. Wet, oozy or moist: Apply our Propolis or Manuka oil Balm. It doesn't have any preservatives, acids or alcohol which can sting reactive, broken or inflamed skin. The natural oils and waxes form a barrier to protect the skin from drying out. You can also apply Zinc Oxide Cream such as Sudocream in between or over the Balm to help dry the skin. Covering the area with a breathable, cotton dressing such as Tubifast can be a life-saver, as it covers the area, prevents you from scratching the skin, and allows the ingredients to work better for longer, rather than rubbing off onto clothes and sheets, giving the skin more time to heal. The Balms also have anti-septic properties, supporting skin healing and preventing minor skin infections.
  3. Itchy, inflamed, dry and flaky: Apply a few drops of the Active 8 Serum as the blend of oils such as Manuka Oil, Camellia Oil, Avocado Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Lavender Oil, Wild Turmeric and Thyme Oil, are carefully selected to hydrate, support skin healing and soothe itch and inflammation. They say when you peel, you heal. So don't be afraid of the skin peeling and shedding as the new skin will come through. The Manuka Oil Cream is also great for this stage, as it can help the regeneration of new skin, soothing the redness and irritation.
  4. Wrinkly skin or 'Elephant Skin' or thinner skin : This happens due to the decrease in collagen production after long-term use of topical steroids. It is reversible after stopping topical steroid use, but can take a long time depending on history of use. Our Skin Radiance Lotion contains Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) which helps to increase collagen and ceramide production, helps soothe inflammation and gives cells energy to repair itself.

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Customer Reviews

No reviews yet
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

"My son who is 8, has had eczema his entire life.
We stopped topical steroids 3 years ago and he has had regular flares, but this one is one of the worst.

His skin was weeping raw, glands were very swollen, and he had to have time off school as it was so painful for him. His skin was broken, inflamed and sore around his elbows, all down his legs, his back, his neck, and wouldn't go anywhere near water as it was horrifically painful.
He is already taking a multivitamin, magnesium/zinc/calcium supplement, probiotic and an immune support, plus aloe vera for juice.

After using the Manuka Balm for and Manuka Oil Cream, we saw the skin around his elbowsheal after 5 days, no more weeping, and the flare up much improved.

He loves theManuka Oil Balmthe most, both cream and balm does not sting like the others he has tried in the past!

We kept applying Zinc on the larger areas that were weeping such as the back and torso, together with the Manuka Oil Balm.
11 days later and his skin has improved so much, this is the fastest healing he has had with a bad flare.

Jasper is so happy and chuffed. He treasures his little pot and it goes everywhere with him. It's never very cheap to get good natural products and we have spent so much money over the years trying different things for him.

6 months down the line and he is still doing so well. The small flare he had seems to be staying mild. He is using the Manuka Oil Balm at night time which is keeping it at bay!"

Manuka Oil  applied twice a day.

Sale
DERMAGEN Balm 50g DermaGen Manuka Balm
DERMAGEN Balm DermaGen Manuka Balm
DermaGen Manuka Balm
from $29.95 Regular price $59.90 Save 50%

Manuka Oil Cream  applied twice a day for 5 days.

Sale
DERMAGEN Cream DermaGen Manuka Oil Cream
DERMAGEN Cream DermaGen Manuka Oil Cream
DermaGen Manuka Oil Cream
from $34.95 Regular price $104.50 Save 67%

Manuka Oil Balm applied twice a day for 11 days.

Sale
DERMAGEN Balm 50g DermaGen Manuka Balm
DERMAGEN Balm DermaGen Manuka Balm
DermaGen Manuka Balm
from $29.95 Regular price $59.90 Save 50%
Stages, Treatment, Healing and More

Steroids usually work well at treating skin conditions. But people who use steroids long-term may develop red skin syndrome (RSS)

Learn More
Red Skin Is Not Eczema

Learn more about Red Skin Syndrome from the Eczema Association of Australasia Inc

Learn More
What are topical corticosteroids?

Topical corticosteroids, or topical steroids, have been used in treating eczema and atopic dermatitis for more than 50 years

Learn More

Manuka Oil Balm applied twice a day for 8 days

Sale
DERMAGEN Balm 50g DermaGen Manuka Balm
DERMAGEN Balm DermaGen Manuka Balm
DermaGen Manuka Balm
from $29.95 Regular price $59.90 Save 50%

Manuka Oil Cream applied for 3 weeks.

Sale
DERMAGEN Cream DermaGen Manuka Oil Cream
DERMAGEN Cream DermaGen Manuka Oil Cream
DermaGen Manuka Oil Cream
from $34.95 Regular price $104.50 Save 67%
DERMAGEN Serum 30ml DermaGen Active 8 Serum
DERMAGEN Serum 125ml DermaGen Active 8 Serum
DermaGen Active 8 Serum
from $15.00

This young boy had struggled with eczema badly for a while now and at 3 his entire body was covered in it.


The skin has improved from a red, angry rash to basically clear on his torso and the skin is clearly healing.


Any minor flare ups have been maintained with the use of these products. Topical steroids were used quite regularly in the past as he has had eczema since he was a baby, so it could be the symptoms of Topical Steroid Withdrawals as well, not just the eczema flaring up.


Previously they had tried creams like Epaderm, Moo Goo original cream, prescribed cream with steroids and anti-biotics, QV Eczema cream and Itchy Baby Bath Soaks.


These products helped the skin heal much quicker than anything else, and maintained the skin moisture better than any other creams they had tried.

Please Note

If you are currently going through Topical corticosteroid treatment (TCS) and thinking about stopping, we just wanted to touch on a few points to help you understand what your body is going through and the reaction it may have by ceasing treatment.

Some people experience problems when they stop TCS treatment after using them for some time. These effects are sometimes referred to as Red Skin SyndromeTopical Steroid Addiction or alternatively Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) syndrome.

These terms can mean different things to different people, and are associated with a variety of medical conditions that need different treatment approaches:

1. Rebound erythema (redness). TCS are medicines known as ‘vasoconstrictors’: they close down tiny skin blood vessels, so the skin looks paler. When TCS treatment is stopped, rebound dilatation (enlargement) of the blood vessels occurs in the skin, and can cause redness and swelling. This usually settles down on its own with time.

2. Facial redness. Rosacea, acne, and perioral dermatitis caused by excessive use of TCS can worsen when TCS treatment is stopped. This is because steroids suppress inflammation.

3. Rapidly worsening redness, soreness, itch, scaling, and swollen glands. These may represent relapse or worsening of the underlying eczema after the anti-inflammatory steroid has been withdrawn.

An alternative anti-inflammatory treatment or medicine that suppresses the immune system may be required.

Hypoadrenalism

This is serious and very rare. If a high-strength TCS is applied to large areas of skin over a prolonged period, some will be absorbed into the bloodstream, as is the case when a steroid medicine is taken in tablet form by mouth (see links below for reference) also NES information).

This can suppress the natural production of steroid hormones by the body’s adrenal glands. If this happens, people can become ill when they stop taking TCS due to a lack of adrenal hormones (hypoadrenalism).

TO AVOID THIS

TCS treatment should be reduced gradually to give the adrenal glands time to recover, and an alternative eczema treatment should be used if necessary.

If tests confirm hypoadrenalism, it may be necessary to take hydrocortisone (a steroid tablet) by mouth until the adrenal glands recover.

Skin Care 4 easy steps

We are committed to working with a number of charities and foundations

The reason why we started this venture has us continuously working behind the scenes with a number of charities and foundations to help contribute to the ongoing research for TSW, Eczema and Dermatitis.

Dermagen gives a portion of its profits back to education and support to those suffering from the symptoms of eczema and dermatitis.

We are proud to work with the charity Eczema Association of Australasia (EAA), which supports and educates eczema sufferers and carers.

We provide a monthly donation to ITSAN, which is a not-for-profit that advocates, offers support to those going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) symptoms, raises awareness and provides education on TSW to patients and health professionals.

A part of our profits also goes to the RAAISE platform which supports businesses that come up with solutions to solve climate change. For example:

AirBridge 🇦🇺 :: Carbon Capture Storage and Utilisation Tech that captures CO2 and locks it in solution for use in new carbon-fed supply chains

Library of Things 🇬🇧 :: borrowing economy **** Making borrowing better than buying with a ‘plug and play’ community item rental service

For the Better Good 🇳🇿 :: plastic alternative A plant-based plastics, circular packaging solution

We are committed to your skin health, offering support to those who are suffering from eczema and TSW, making a difference to climate change and reducing the burden of Chronic Wounds and Antimicrobial Resistance. ♥️