I was glad to see another Daily Mail article featuring TSW today.
A lot of people in the TSW community will know Jake And Libby and their amazing story of Jake's full recovery from dependence on steroid creams. It's a great reminder that it is possible to heal from this condition and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you so much Libby and Jake for all that you do in raising awareness!
Sunday 24 January 2016
Friday 22 January 2016
Topical Steroid Abuse in Taiwan
In Taiwan, even the most potent steroid creams are available over the counter without a prescription and this is causing big problems for dermatologists who have to deal with the aftermath.
Since a reporting system was set up, hospitals were reporting over 500 cases of topical steroid abuse a month, according to Focus Taiwan News.
We are thankful that organisations like ITSAN exist to support these people through what is likely to be an horrific withdrawal phase.
Since a reporting system was set up, hospitals were reporting over 500 cases of topical steroid abuse a month, according to Focus Taiwan News.
We are thankful that organisations like ITSAN exist to support these people through what is likely to be an horrific withdrawal phase.
Wednesday 20 January 2016
New Medications for Eczema in the Pipeline
Now that the medical community are becoming more aware of the dangers of steroid rebound, many new and exciting innovations are taking place within the pharmaceutical industry. Targeted medication seems to be the new buzz-word and is generating a lot of interest.
The NEA recently featured an article about a targeted medication that has the potential to change lives. I like the fact that the article actually mentions steroid rebound as a bad side effect of steroid medication.
Wouldn't it be great if these new, targeted medicines became the standard treatment for eczema and steroid creams became a thing of the past? Maybe it's a long way off, but I live in hope. It would be so good if the next generation didn't have to suffer the way that we have from overuse of steroid creams.
The NEA recently featured an article about a targeted medication that has the potential to change lives. I like the fact that the article actually mentions steroid rebound as a bad side effect of steroid medication.
Wouldn't it be great if these new, targeted medicines became the standard treatment for eczema and steroid creams became a thing of the past? Maybe it's a long way off, but I live in hope. It would be so good if the next generation didn't have to suffer the way that we have from overuse of steroid creams.
Monday 11 January 2016
Cold Weather Hives
I'm going to write about weather-induced allergy today because it is something that affected me badly when I was using steroids.
Back when I used strong steroids on my face, my face became very sensitive to external stimuli. One problem that I had was whenever I would go outside in cold weather, my face would break out in hives. At first, it was just one or two spots, but after prolonged steroid use, the welts got really bad. It became a big problem for me in winter, as I would have to walk my children to and from school, which would result in a messed-up face most days.
Anyway, as readers will know, I've been off steroid creams for 4 years now. I'm on a bit of a fitness kick to lose all the weight I put on during that time (I lost 7lbs already!) and I went for a walk this morning. I walked several miles in the cold, January UK weather and suddenly something occurred to me. My face wasn't itchy. I didn't have hives. The arctic wind was blasting my face and my face was ok!
I find this sort of progress really encouraging. Cold induced hives were a big problem for me for such a long time and they have vanished over time without me even noticing. This must mean that my skin is getting stronger. I'm not fully healed yet, but this is a really big step for me. I dont have to fear the cold any more!
I'd love to know if anyone else has ever had this problem. Has the weather ever affected your skin? Did you think that steroid creams were to blame? Has you skin improved since stopping steroids? Please share your experiences.
Back when I used strong steroids on my face, my face became very sensitive to external stimuli. One problem that I had was whenever I would go outside in cold weather, my face would break out in hives. At first, it was just one or two spots, but after prolonged steroid use, the welts got really bad. It became a big problem for me in winter, as I would have to walk my children to and from school, which would result in a messed-up face most days.
Anyway, as readers will know, I've been off steroid creams for 4 years now. I'm on a bit of a fitness kick to lose all the weight I put on during that time (I lost 7lbs already!) and I went for a walk this morning. I walked several miles in the cold, January UK weather and suddenly something occurred to me. My face wasn't itchy. I didn't have hives. The arctic wind was blasting my face and my face was ok!
I find this sort of progress really encouraging. Cold induced hives were a big problem for me for such a long time and they have vanished over time without me even noticing. This must mean that my skin is getting stronger. I'm not fully healed yet, but this is a really big step for me. I dont have to fear the cold any more!
I'd love to know if anyone else has ever had this problem. Has the weather ever affected your skin? Did you think that steroid creams were to blame? Has you skin improved since stopping steroids? Please share your experiences.
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