Topical steroid use - any advice?

[itchyelbowsandswollenankles]

I’ve got quite a nasty patch of what appears to eczema, psoriasis, or a fungal infection on my elbow. I’ve been given Trimovate cream to use for two weeks, twice a day.

I slapped it on without thinking this evening and then had a google - apparently it can lead to topical steroid withdrawal? I’m quite concerned by this, but also I want this patch gone so I’m going to use whatever I can to get rid.

Is there any way I can avoid this happening?

Use it as you have been advised and you will be fine. Stop googling

Short term use like this won’t give you any issues. It mainly applies to people using them very long term and / or over huge areas. (I have Addisons disease which is one form of adrenal insufficiency, long term steroid use can cause another so I know a fair bit about it all).

Thanks guys. I think I just panicked last night because I’ve never had anything like this.

The upshot is it’s nearly gone this morning! So it’s doing its job, and fast

There is a massive tendancy for people to be over cautious and under use steroid creams when they have been prescribed safely.

This. I work in dermatology and it’s a shame some
people are so steroid-phobic from reading the side effects. Used properly, as prescribed, they can do wonders for eczema. Use a thin layer, as prescribed and slowly taper down and there should be no issues.

She didn’t mention tapering, how do I do this?

You don’t have to but it would limit withdrawal even further so for example you’d apply it once daily for x weeks then five days a week for x weeks, 3 days a week for x weeks, twice a week for x weeks then stop.
Usually done in 1-2 week increments.

Thanks! I’m on it twice a day for two weeks

To be fair, it has nearly gone already. It’s been brilliant!