Safer Alternatives Than Topical Steroids

I get asked often what is a safer way to comfort TSW, eczema and other dry itchy skin issues rather than over the counter or prescribed steroids. I'm very aware that nothing outside of topical steroids will "magically clear" TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) skin. Any claims from a product company, stating it will clear up eczema, TSW, psoriasis etc. quickly? Not true. If one uses something that does do that, be very diligent to find out the exact ingredients and even have a lab test them, as I've seen it all too often in the TSW support groups. Many TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) topicals have been promoted as miracle creams only to be lab tested with results of topical steroids in the ingredients.

 Yes, it's sad that anyone would take advantage of others who are suffering but greed seems to cloud people's sense of compassion and kindness in this vast and diverse world. For me, I used lots of white palm oil for moisturizing my dry, cracked TSW skin. I had tried coconut oil which made me itchier but some people really like it. I also tried other favorites such as good old vaseline, Aquaphor, Eucerin, aloe vera, shea butter, beeswax products, olive oil and even yogurt on my crying skin but for me, the white palm oil was received the best from my skin and it was in large enough amounts that it lasted me a while. 

Here is a pic of the one I bought at a local supermarket and back in 2011 it was $5.99 but price now ranges from $8.39 and higher depending on where you get it. The price of course was much better back then, but it's one ingredient and caused no discomfort to my skin. I made sure to always have clean hands or vinyl gloves on when using a tongue depressor stick to remove it from the container so as not to get staph and other bacteria mised into the new oil.

There are also some sponsor products on the ITSAN website that I have not tried but have read good things about them from some TSW folks. These are the ingredients for Balmonds Skin Salvation which seem to be helpful for some. The Cannabis Sativa may indeed help the crazy itch of TSW and that alone is a comfort! 

Here is one testimony of a mother of a TSW infant who is pleased with this safe cream for his topical steroid inflamed skin. He is now on the road to healing with some kind of comfort.

 List of Balmond's ingedients below. Olea Europaea (olive) fruit oil* Cera Alba (beeswax) Carthamus Tinctorius (safflower) seed oil* Cannabis Sativa (hemp) seed oil* Aqua and alcohol (from tinctures) Calendula Officinalis (calendula) flower extract** Chamomilla Recutita (chamomile) flower extract* Stellaria Media (chickweed) extract** Urtica Dioica (nettle) extract** *organic ingredients. **biodynamic ingredients. 100% biodegradable raw materials As a product made from natural ingredients such as flowers and seeds, this product can be subject to slight variations of scent and color. This is perfectly normal and doesn’t affect quality. 

Be very aware that skin may like something and later on, dislike something or everything or vice versa. At times in the later stages, skin may prefer nothing as mine did in the final stage of recovery, my third year. I stopped all ointments but still used old fashione oatmeal in a nylon sock for every bath as it made a very creamy, milky bathwater that greatly soothed my skin and kept the itch down somewhat. 

Everyone is different and every time frame for healing is different. Setbacks are common and others trying to predict fellow TSW sufferers method of comfort and healing is a big no no. We all walk this road together as overcomers but we are all indvidually designed and need to remember that in every stage of TSW, no matter how long it takes. I'm forever thankful and indebted to ITSAN.org for their contiuous surge forward to help the suffering, preven topical steroid withdrawal, educate the medical field and fulfil the dream of ending TSW!

February 3 is TSW Awareness Day and ITSAN’s 11 year anniversary as an incorporated nonprofit! We have come so far in the battle for recognition, accountability, and prevention. What can you do? We need your help to get Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome officially recognized by your state, to help promote research and provide support and protection for TSW sufferers and their families! Join us on Wednesday, February 15, at 8:30pm EST, as Kelly Barta, ITSAN Executive Board member, shares how to connect with your legislators. Kelly will provide the tools you need to get a TSW resolution passed in your state or province. We know that TSW sufferers and caregivers often struggle to be heard and understood. Learn how YOU can make a difference! TSW Advocacy Training Wednesday, February 15 8:30pm-9:30pm EST Register in advance for the meeting here: https://www.itsan.org/advocate/ After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Thank you! #tswawarenessday #tswadvocacytraining #endtsw #preventable #thisisnoteczema #topicalsteroidaddiction #tsa #topicalsteroidwithdrawal #tsw #redskinsyndrome #rss #topicalsteroidwithdrawalsyndrome #tsws #itsan #dermatology

 The early vision and longing of us vets of TSW advocacy was to see this largely ignored Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome to be recognized and go viral. ITSAN.org and everyone who ever shared their story in order to slow and eventually stop this train of suffering can now see the fruit manifesting from those seeds after 10 hard years of this labor of love and pain. Thank you Kelly Barta for sharing your story "To Eczema With Love" as hundreds of others have done, baring their soul, emotions and skin to the whole world in order to bring the burning skin community and world hope and help! Well done my comrade. 👏

MY Childhood Eczema Story

 

I had very, young childhood eczema, like my older brother and dad. They grew out of it, I didn't. The difference, they didn't use topical steroids. My story.

https://patientslounge.com/conditions/My-Topical-Steroid-Skin-Addiction-and-Withdrawal-Story?fbclid=IwAR2H2uUEKLPfT5-GuRceRMMekcDvhFNlGGVDR_lzYTWyxSHsFcQECqc5kPU

Have You Gotten Your Eyes Checked?

I'm republishing this post from 2014 as it is impertinent that anyone that has used topical steroids for a longer time than two weeks, pay close attention to your eyes. There is a wealth of information on the ITSAN site as well. 

Update November 2021: I'm having 6 month check-ups on my eyes at my Opthamologist's direction to keep an eye on what may be macular degeneration, plus mild cataracts since my 2014 post. I'm now 66 years old and understand that this may be an age issue but I never rule out the long-term effects of lengthy topical steroid use. The rest of this post is republished from my first writing.

"You may be old or new to the Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS) world, but if you have not heard about how this drug can affect your eyes, please do read this blog post by Dr. Fukaya about it. My good friend, Dr. Fukyaya worked hard and diligent for years as a dermatologist and published much of his findings. 

http://mototsugufukaya.blogspot.com/search/label/25%20Ophthalmological%20complications

Whether you are a mom of a child withdrawing from steroids or a teen or adult, it is very wise to have your eyes checked as many are finding that they not only have skin issues but the eyes can be affected as well. This is not to say that eyes cannot recover as well as mine do seem to be less photosensitive now in my 42nd month of topical steroid withdrawal.

I've had some problems with my eyes since withdrawing from all topical steroid 42 months ago after 40+ years of using it. I didn't know about the eyes being affected so my first eye exam was about a year ago and it went quite well considering all the years this drug entered my body.

I had very dry eyes that burned and blurred a lot which I contributed to long hours on the computer and I'm sure that just added to the steroid induced eye afflictions. I also had swelling if I ate chocolate, bloodshot sore and dry eyes that could not tolerate any sunlight without pain and sunglasses. This peaked in my later months after the 27th month point of major improvements in my skin. It seemed to be a delayed reaction to the ts in my case but nevertheless, it was a problem that concerned me.

The eye exam took about an hour since you have to get drops to dilate them and then several tests to check out all functions.I very much dislike that word "dilate" these days but it did reveal a small scratch or injury on my right cornea that puzzled the eye doctor. He asked me several times if I had some type of injury or scratched my eye to which I replied "no" each time and finally said "it's the steroids, they affect so much it's crazy." He doubted it very much since he prescribes the steroid drops for eyes and has never seen that but he also does not know about topical steroid addiction like so many others in the medical community.

I left with the comfort of knowing at least I don't have cataracts, glaucoma or retina problems like some others in TSW have had. I cannot stress enough that reading this blog and having eyes checked is best sooner than later in the withdrawal process."

Steroid-Induced Adrenal Issue Awareness is Happening!

 

My Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Story

I wrote about my own topical steroid withdrawal syndrome (TSWS) journey about 8 years ago. I will never forget the trauma and intensity of that 27 month, dark night in my life. I am committed to telling my story everywhere I go and to help raise awareness of TSWS and to help prevent this preventable travesty in other people's lives. Hubpages recently promoted my article to the "Patient's Lounge" which will raise views and reach more people! Yay! Read my story and see my pics here.