BRITS who use a regular skin cream could be at risk of a potentially fatal complication, experts have warned.
Patients who use topical steroids to treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are at risk of adrenal suppression, according to the UK medicine regulator.
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The condition, also called Addison’s disease, occurs when the gland responsible for producing the essential hormones cortisol and aldosterone is damaged.
May arise from “excessive use of topical steroids […] is fatal” and “needs urgent treatment”, the Medicines Healthcare and Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Around 10.5 million tubes of topical steroids – in varying dosage grades – are prescribed to patients with different skin conditions each year.
The new warning, published this week, comes after 267 people reported similar topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) reactions over the last two years through the Government’s Yellow Card Scheme.
TSW refers to a combination of symptoms that can appear days, weeks, and months after a person stops using certain medications.
Typical signs include skin redness, burning, stinging, severe itching, peeling skin, or oozing from open wounds.
They happen because the body becomes dependent or addicted over a long period of time.
What is Addison’s disease?
Addison’s disease is a rare disease that affects the adrenal glands, which produce the essential hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
The disease is usually the result of problems with the immune system.
It damages the gland and prevents it from producing enough of any of the hormones.
Around 9,000 people have the disease in the UK, with more than 300 new cases diagnosed each year.
Symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, moodiness, loss of appetite or involuntary weight loss, and increased thirst.
Over time, you may also experience:
- dizziness
- faint
- cramps
- exhaustion
It is treated with medications to replace the missing hormones, which must be taken for the rest of the patient’s life.
O National Health Service states that the condition can affect people of any age, although it is most common between the ages of 30 and 50.
It is also more common in women than men, the guidance states.
If you are concerned about any of your symptoms, see your GP.
In an emergency, always call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department
Following a separate MHRA report in 2021, guidance on the risks of TSWs is now included as patient information with all topical steroids.
Despite this, TSW is still not a properly recognized condition.
Patients have also reported suffering from other side effects, including thinning skin, generalized pustular psoriasis and Cushing’s syndrome – which occurs when there is too much cortisol in the body.
In response to the new report, the MHRA said the cream will be labeled with more information about its potency and associated risks.
He said the changes aim to help patients avoid “important risks” associated with long-term, high-potency topical steroids.
It added that while “topical steroids are highly effective… when prescribed and used appropriately,” they can “rarely lead to serious side effects.”
What is topical steroid withdrawal?
The term ‘topical steroid withdrawal’ refers to a combination of symptoms that can appear days, weeks, and months after a person stops using certain medications.
They happen because the body becomes dependent or addicted over a long period of time.
Potentially debilitating symptoms of TSW can include:
- Burning
- Crying
- Peeling
- Spill
- Peeling
- Spreading out
- Swelling
- Redness
- Wrinkling
- Thin skin
- Pus-filled bumps
- Crack
- Itch
- Nodules
- Pain
- Insomnia
- hair loss
- Shivering
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Inability
Treatment
The skin should eventually return to normal, but this may take some time.
If you are concerned, speak to your GP.
They could offer:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Oral corticosteroids to help taper off topical steroids
- Light therapy
- Antibiotics if your skin becomes infected
Source: the National Eczema Association It is the Independent Pharmacy
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
