RED SKIN SYNDROME (RSS)

WHAT IS RED SKIN SYNDROME?

Red Skin Syndrome (RSS) is a term that encompasses a number of symptoms of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). Topical steroid withdrawal occurs due to the overuse (and often recommended) use of corticosteroid creams in the treatment of skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis .

I decided to write this post because it's time to start warning people about the dangers of using corticosteroid creams. Sorry, now is not the time... for many it's already too late .

CORTICOSTEROID CREAMS

A few years ago, I first encountered this skin disease, the symptoms of which Corticosteroid creams are addictive . When I received pictures of a baby in the mail that a mother sent me in the hope that I had a solution for her and her baby, I collapsed. I literally collapsed and burst into tears . No one deserves such pictures, such a life... and the worst thing is that this bitter experience would not be necessary if patients with dermatitis and skin problems were approached differently. But the easiest and apparently only solution offered to a desperate parent who knows nothing, who wants only one thing - a healthy child, a child who does not cry because of itching, wounded skin, is corticosteroid cream.

LET'S START TAKING CARE OF OUR SKIN ON TIME

Let's leave aside the serious conditions that would not occur if the skin was treated properly and a holistic approach to treatment was taken, but when I hear the stories of my clients who come to me for advice and send me a photo of a child with minor eczema and tell me what instructions they were given and what medications they were given (corticosteroid, oily ointments). Then not only sadness but anger awakens in me. I would rather scream at the top of my lungs and find something heavy and throw it at "someone", unfortunately I can't stay here... The skin requires so little if we know how to approach it from the very beginning.

But you know how it goes... Well, I've been seeing how it goes for a long time now. Past the common sense, along the line of least resistance.

I am attaching or copying a blog post by Maja Šter, a fighter who is fighting with Red Skin Syndrome . And a link to her blog, which she writes to help fellow sufferers and also to raise awareness: WOHO – 15 months!! (and what I use)

Corticosteroid creams are prescribed by a dermatologist and are used when the skin deteriorates. Since the skin condition improves only temporarily , and then the creams need to be applied again, the patient quickly gets caught in a vicious cycle of applying corticosteroid creams. These creams include Elocom, Advantan, Locoidon and other corticosteroid ointments.

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE ARE ADDICTED?

When the skin becomes dependent, eczema appears in places where it was not there at the beginning , and can spread throughout the body, which is not typical of atopic dermatitis itself. These new eczemas are a result of the use of corticosteroid creams and are no longer a symptom of atopic dermatitis, so they are steroid-induced eczema (Steroid Induced Eczema).

For me, they were here once, there once, and I myself often thought that my spots would obviously have to be everywhere before they disappeared. Well, that was optimistic thinking. ? For many, creams suddenly no longer have any effect, so it is necessary to switch to more potent corticosteroid creams. This is also a sign that the skin has become addicted . When stronger creams are gone, oral steroids remain, and then the person automatically goes on withdrawal from topical steroids, because no cream 'takes' anymore.

CONSEQUENCES OF CORTICOSTEROID CREAMS

During this time, many consequences in the body can occur due to long-term use of corticosteroid creams , such as:

• inhibition of children's growth and development,
• suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the development of Cushing's syndrome,
• adrenal suppression,
• hypertrichosis (increased hairiness),
• hypopigmentation (lack of pigment),
• hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels),
• glucosuria (presence of glucose in the urine),
• perioral dermatitis (skin disease around the mouth),
• skin maceration (softening of the skin),
• infections,
• miliaria (itchy skin blisters),
• pain or reaction at the application site,
• tingling,
• contact dermatitis,
• stretch marks,
• acne-like skin disease,
• thinning of the skin,
• abscess,
• glaucoma.

(These side effects are listed in the instructions for use of Elocom ointment and cream, and you can find even more if you type 'steroid inducted' into an online search engine).

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS FROM CORTICOSTEROID CREAMS

When red skin syndrome occurs, a person experiences a number of withdrawal symptoms. These include red, glowing skin, peeling skin (sometimes in the form of 'snow'), yellow, smelly discharge , and a recurring cycle of symptoms:

1. skin discharge,
2. swelling,
3. burning sensations of the skin,
4. peeling skin,
5. and then the cycle repeats.

A ' red sleeve ' of glowing inflamed skin appears on the arms and/or legs, leading to

• disturbances in skin thermoregulation (which makes us feel too cold or too hot),
• edema (swelling) often appears on the body,
• the skin becomes hypersensitive to water, movement, creams, fabrics, temperature, etc.,
• we feel nerve pain,
• there is an increase in lymph nodes,
• we experience dryness and irritation of the eyes and the consequences of skin atrophy (thinning of the skin) in the form of 'elephant skin',
• some people experience hair loss on the head and/or body,
• insomnia and altered biorhythm,
• changes in appetite,
• fatigue,
• emotional fluctuations,
• depression,
• anxiety.

However, not everyone experiences all the symptoms and not to the same extent.

(Translated from the website www.itsan.org , the International Topical Steroid Awareness Network, an international non-profit organization of individuals who have either gone through withdrawal themselves or have cared for someone who has, and who work to raise awareness about this issue. You can find practically all the information you need on this website - so just click on the link above).

In addition, an individual who is detoxing has an increased sensitivity to all of the aforementioned environmental irritants , which causes them to develop numerous apparent allergies that disappear during detoxification, while their real allergies are further exacerbated due to hypersensitivity.

DURATION OF WITHDRAWAL FROM CORTICOSTEROID CREAMS

The intensity and length of the withdrawal period depends on the duration and potency of the corticosteroid creams used and on the response of each individual's body. Withdrawal should last from 15 to 30% of the time the creams are used . For me, it took about two to four years, as I used the creams for about 15 years. I expect the recovery time to be somewhat shorter, however, as I used low-potency creams and did not apply them to the skin very often.

In addition, you can find a lot of information on the blog of dermatologist Dr. Marvin Rapaport , who has been working to improve the situation in this field for 20 years through professional articles and professional training, and then decided to start writing a blog and bring his findings and advice closer to us, individuals who are quitting. The problem for us patients is that it is still very difficult to find supportive doctors and dermatologists, as they still insist on corticosteroid therapy and are not open to other approaches to treatment (of course, there are exceptions).

I also highly recommend reading Dr. Fukaya's blog , which also specializes in researching withdrawal and its effects on the individual.

Our skin care products for Red Skin Syndrome (RSS):

ZINC BALM

ATOPIC BALM

Renew cream