NEA Make Public Announcement About Topical Steroid Addiction

The NEA task force on topical steroid addiction have published their findings this week on the National Eczema Association website. Much appreciation for all of the hard work and research that has gone into publishing the final document. I know that the NEA representatives thoroughly researched the available documentation and also listened closely to representatives from ITSAN when preparing their final report.

I am so happy that this condition has now been recognised by a major health organisation like NEA. This will hopefully open the floodgates for doctors and dermatologists to start taking patients' concerns about TSW seriously. Dr Peter Lio MD, who works closely with NEA has started to take on and treat patients with TSW and it would be wonderful if other doctors would follow his example, as TSW sufferers need and deserve the very best medical care and supervision. Currently, lack of information and education about TSW can be a real block to patients getting the best standard of care, but the publication of this document could be a turning point.

The NEA are honest in their approach and admit that there are many gaps in our knowledge at the current time. It could be that this announcement paves the way for researchers to take up the challenge of answering the big questions about TSW: What percentage of TS users get addicted? Can anything speed up the withdrawal process? Is there any way to avoid getting addicted when using TS long term? How many children are affected? Why does TSW take several years to heal?

I am so grateful to all involved in the publication of this document. Ever since I started writing this blog, the TSW community has always been perceived as "fringe" or "alternative." There is no reason that this should be the case, as TSW is a medical condition and should be treated with the same recognition as any other medical condition.

It's good to be counted. It's good to be heard.