What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal?
Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), also known as Red Skin Syndrome, is a term that describes a group of related skin conditions as well related non-skin conditions such as thermo-regulation issues and nerve pain. It can occur when there is a gradual or abrupt cessation of prolonged use of topical corticosteroids, usually of mid to high potency. It has several other names, but the most common names are Topical Steroid Addiction and Red Skin Syndrome. Topical steroid withdrawal is described as a syndrome because it is an umbrella term for several other related skin conditions. It is commonly characterized by symptoms such as rashes, redness of the skin, burning or tingling sensation of the skin, skin flaking, edema, oozing pus secretions, skin peeling, and a host of others. The effects of steroid withdrawal are sometimes more severe than the condition the steroids were being used to treat.
TSW Skin
TSW Skin (an acronym for Topical Steroid Withdrawal skin) is a phrase to describe any combination of conditions and stages that the skin may cycle through during the withdrawal of topical steroids. TSW Skin can include a combination of thinning skin, dry skin, cracked skin, oozing skin, infected skin, eczema herpeticum, staph infection, pompholynx, and follicular eczema. TSW Skin can occur anywhere on the body, regardless of whether topical steroids where in that specific area of the body or not. The most common places for TSW skin to appear is where topical steroids were used the most, particularly on the hands, neck and face.
Source: For more images of TSW skin check out TSW Witness.
Timeline of Topical Steroid Withdrawal
The TSW healing process of topical steroid withdrawal is not linear. TSW stages can come in different cycles as the body needs time to repair its immune system, nervous system, and natural skin barrier.
What are the Stages of Topical Steroid Withdrawal?
The following Stages of Topical Steroid Withdrawal relate to people who have stopped all usage of topical steroids entirely.
ℹ️ Related post: Which is better? Cold Turkey Vs Tapering Off Topical Steroids
There are no hard and fast rules in the progression of topical steroid withdrawal. Oftentimes, management is done on a case by case basis. Even though the phases of Topical Steroid Withdrawal have been outlined, a person’s skin might not follow the sequence exactly. Each person has their own peculiarities and unique healing journey. For instance, a person could have one stage of topical steroid withdrawal in one part of their body and another stage in another part. A person could also have two different stages on the same part of their body. The most important thing is to be consistent with skin care and be attentive to its needs and wants. This involves being aware of what triggers flare-ups for you.
The photos below are used with permission from Jing Rui, who suffered with chronic health and skin conditions for many years after the complete cessation of topical steroids which followed a long withdrawal period.
Stage 1. Inflammation
Inflammation is defined as the response of a cell to a noxious stimulus beyond the point at which the cell can tolerate it. It occurs at the beginning of every flare. It is characterized by redness of the skin in lighter complexion, warmth to touch, pain, swelling, and feelings of general weakness. Hives are also a form of inflammation, but a later form. They occur on skin that has acquired some strength. It can often be a sign of healing.
Inflammation is especially common if you are just beginning your withdrawal journey. If you have been on your withdrawal journey for some time and you experience this, it means you are having a flare-up. Blood is rushing to affected areas of the skin in order to prepare for the healing process to take place.
Stage 2. Exudation, Oozing and Scab Formation
Exudation is simply the formation of pus. It occurs when a person’s body has become addicted to topical steroids and is in withdrawal. It can also occur when a person’s skin has been infected by bacteria.
Pus is made of cellular protein in cells. When exposed to air, cellular components of the pus undergo oxidation to form thread-like substances. These thread-like substances form a mesh that hardens and appears on the skin as a crust or scab. The formation of crusts or scabs prevents more bleeding from the wound and protects the wound to allow new skin to form underneath.
Crusts and scabs can repeatedly break to release more pus and appear to ‘ooze’. This is because they are very weak structures prone to breakage. As much as possible, try not to move areas with crusts and scabs around too much so that they can harden without breaking up.
Stage 3. Proliferation and Flaking
The Proliferation stage is the skin flaking stage. It can be considered cosmetically unappealing, but very necessary for the healing of the skin.
At this stage, the cells of the skin are trying to rebuild the basement membrane of the skin. As such, they migrate to the sites of the wounds and proliferate there. This is what we see as skin flaking. Several skin layers are formed beneath the surface. When they get to the top, they flake off. It is almost as if the skin cells form new layers beneath the surface and if the cells are not healthy or strong enough, they get to the top and flake off. This process will continue until the skin cells form a layer that is strong and healthy.
As the rate of proliferation reduces, the skin reduces flaking and simply becomes rough to touch. Thus roughness is also a sign of proliferation.
Stage 4. Remodelling
The remodeling stage is the stage at which wounds begin to contract, pulling the skin towards itself. This is noticeable by thin lines surrounding the wound.
At this stage, collagen is being formed in an effort to strengthen the skin and return it to its normal strength and elasticity. This stage is more obviously spotted at folds in the skin such as the bend in the elbows and knees.
Symptoms
All 4 stages are commonly experienced in topical steroid withdrawal, however, there is no exact time period of how long each stage can last. This 4 stage withdrawal process can often repeat and be cyclical, depending on the severity of skin flares.
The following symptoms can be experienced during topical steroid withdrawal:
- Edema
- Elephant skin
- Emotional fluctuations, depression, anxiety
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Eye dryness and irritation
- Fatigue
- Flaking skin
- Food Intolerances
- Hair loss: (head and/or body)
- Intense Itching
- Hypersensitivity of the skin to water, movement, moisturizer, fabrics, temperature, etc.
- Insomnia and altered body clock
- Nerve pain
- Oozing
- Metallic smell
- Papules and pustules
- Red sleeves: (arms/legs become red and inflamed)
- Red flushed face
- Skin flushing bright red, resembling a sunburn
- Skin thinning and atrophy
- Sleep disturbance
- Thermoregulation Inability (feeling too cold or too hot)
- Weight loss
How Long Does Topical Steroid Withdrawal Last?
The skin is the largest organ of the body and it needs time to heal, especially after a long period of steroid damage and a suppressed immune system. In the case of topical steroid withdrawal, the time it needs to heal can vary very much from person to person. There is no specific timeline – The skin of one person could take 6 months to heal completely. The skin of another person could take up to three years. Besides the individual nature of this condition, other things that could make the timeline vary from person to person include:
- The potency of the Steroid that has been used
- How long the person used the Steroid
- How frequently the person used the Steroid
A person experiencing topical steroid withdrawal must also understand contributing factors to the underlying skin issue of eczema. Eliminating factors known to cause flare-ups can assist in reducing inflammation and speeding up the healing process. Such factors can include food intolerances, chemical intolerances from laundry or washing detergents, and more.
Does TSW last forever?
No, Topical Steroid Withdrawal does not last forever. There are thousands of people who no longer experience the severe symptoms of topical steroid withdrawal after their body has healed. According to Dr. Marvin Rapaport MD, for people who quit topical steroids abruptly and completely, it can take up to three years to fully heal. This time frame is not prescriptive to all people with TSW as there are many who have recovered within a few months, and there are others who experience the symptoms of topical steroid withdrawal for longer than 3 years. More clinical studies are required for this novel iatrogenic illness.
ℹ️ Related Post: Cold Turkey Vs Tapering Off Topical Steroids
Our Mission at TSW Assist
Our mission here at TSW Assist is to gather insights of medications, products, routines, supplements, and therapies that can help manage the symptoms experienced during withdrawal period from topical steroids. There is currently no cure for topical steroid withdrawal but these insights come directly people with TSW who have had success in symptomatic relief during their withdrawal period.
