Question About Steroid induced Rosacea and Withdrawal
Joined: 10 Feb 2008
| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject: Question About Steroid induced Rosacea and Withdrawal | |
| Hey, just a couple questions that hopefully someone can answer so I can stop worrying. I used 2% hydrocortisone for about 1.5-2 months almost daily to treat my SD which at the time was only diagnosed as Eczema. When I went to my derm after the steroid use he said I had SD and gave me some anti-fungal cream. He told me I should stop using the hydro cause it can become addicting. So I went cold turkey. I had about 2.5-3 weeks of flawless skin, no redness or anything. Then at about 4 weeks off steroid cream I started to notice some increased flushing, slight redness, and a few of these little itchy blemish looking spots started coming up every once in awhile. This is when I found about this whole withdrawal mess. I am guessing most of the people on here aren't doctors, but I hope you can help anyways:
1. Will these withdrawal symptoms eventually go away once my skin is repaired? 2. How long would you except me (healthy 19 y/o male) to have these symptoms before relief after 1.5-2 months use? 3. Do the symptoms I am having sound consitent with a description of withdrawal or are they simply common SD problems? Thanks for any help! Sam |
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Joined: 07 Jan 2008
| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject: | |
| If you search around a little you can find several threads related to steroid rosacea/steroid withdrawal, all within the past month or so.
I have what I believe to be steroid withdrawal as well. I used topical steroids on my face for four months. When I stopped, though, the withdrawal happened immediately. I'm not sure if it would be delayed, but I guess it could be. My symptoms included: increased redness to the areas where the steroids were applied (raised, red plaques). The skin burned and itched. As it started to heal it became extremely dry and flaky. I've been going through this for about 6 weeks now and I'm still dry and flaky. The areas aren't quite as red now, more pink, but still very sensitive. I did not have any p&p's, though, but others here have. I've also had some increased flushing, which I've read can happen. It might go away eventually or it might be here to stay. Won't know for a while, I guess! Hopefully others can give you more info or you can find some searching through the forum. Good luck! ~J |
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Joined: 10 Feb 2008
| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject: | |
| Thanks for Sharing. I kind of wanted to ask about it since I had that wierd delayed period and it seems like most people dont get that or get a delay of like 3 days before it kicks in. I have been off them for like 1-1.5 months and the redness isn't really that bad its jsut the little itchy spots I get. On my cheeks like right below my temples is were it still gets red mostly. I don't know whats up with the right side of my face, it seems to get signifigantly more itchy spots compared to the left which is nearly completly clear. I guess I'll just keep giving it time, 2 months of use shouldnt take that long to get over right? It makes me feel better to have someone that only used it for a few months tell me theirs is getting better. I hope that your recovery goes fast and easy. | |
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject: | |
| are you using the topical for SD your doc gave thru this? I am thinking this may be what is helping you to not have a sever withdrawal reaction. Could you post the name of the topical?
And only time will tell if this clears right up for you...be very careful on what you use to wash your face and so on....gentle...allow the skin to heal up. _________________ Dx 1998 No meds Used low-dose accutane successfully |
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Joined: 10 Feb 2008
| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject: | |
| It is Ketoconzaloe cream. Its a anti-fungal cream that is applied daily for SD. I don't even use soap on my face. I just wash my face with water. It is jsut wierd that after quiting the steroid cream I wasn't using anything on my face except eucirin mouisturizer which I still use and I had nearly perfect skin for like 2.5-3 weeks. Then I started to get some light acne on the right side of my face and it itched a little bit so I started using the ketoconzaloe cream and it went away for like another week and then for like a 1-1.5 months it came back.
Edit: I am starting to think It might be the ketoconzaloe cream. I might give it a week off of it and see if anything clears up. I know some of the side effects for keotconzaloe can be itchiness, skin irritation, burning which are all coincident with Rosacea. |
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Joined: 09 Jan 2008
| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:17 am Post subject: | |
| Just like J said, you can find many threads and information about this topic.
I was on topical steriods for 10 years. I was diagnosed with Excema and rosacea when I was about 9 or 10, and the doc just kept giving me creams to try, which I later found out that they had steriods in them. I switch docs about a year ago and they put me on desonide for about 6 months. I switch derms again, and I had a biopsy done and found out I had seb derm. He took me off the steriods in November and I still have A LOT of withdrawl problems. Whatever you do, do not go back on any type of steriod! You could be right that its the new cream that you are taking, but it could be some withdrawls. Everyone will heal differently. Hope you feel better soon!! XOXO Melissa |
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Joined: 20 Jan 2008
| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject: | |
| I don't think that you are necessarily having steroid withdrawal symptoms. You only used the steroid for 2 months maximum, and you didn't see any symptoms until 4 weeks after stopping the cream. In my experience, symptoms start up really quickly after stopping a steroid cream (within the week). So, I wonder if you have something else going on? | |
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