What is topical corticosteroid withdrawal?
Topical corticosteroid withdrawal refers to a rare adverse reaction relating to the use of a topical steroid after it has been discontinued. This reaction can occur after prolonged, inappropriate, and/or frequent use/abuse of moderate- to high-potency topical corticosteroids. There are two distinct clinical presentations of topical steroid withdrawal:
- Red burning skin – this has incorrectly been given a variety of names, including topical steroid addiction and steroid dermatitis.
- Papulopustular rashes – these include steroid rosacea and perioral/periorificial dermatitis.
What is the cause of red burning skin and who gets it?
Signs of topical corticosteroid withdrawal may develop within days to weeks after stopping high-potency topical corticosteroid that has been over-used/abused — this is mostly for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Treatment with the topical steroid has usually been prolonged, greater than 12 months, and frequent, ie daily or more often. It has not been reported with correct use of topical steroids.
