The Link Between Steroids and Eczema

Eczema is a common skin condition whose symptoms include redness, itching, inflammation, dryness, and scaling of the skin. The severity of the disease varies, but it will have a considerable impact on the quality of life and mental health of the patient. At present, the treatment methods for eczema include various methods such as topical ointment, oral medicine, and natural therapy, among which the use of ointment is the most common.

Steroids are a frequently used ingredient in healing ointments. Steroids, as a hormone-like drug, can effectively reduce the inflammatory response and reduce the symptoms of eczema, such as itching, redness and inflammation. The use of appropriate doses of steroids can improve the quality of life and disease status of patients and achieve the purpose of treatment. According to a survey initiated by the Hong Kong Skin Foundation, more than 80% of Hong Kong eczema patients have used steroid drugs, and most of them (62%) have used moderate-intensity drugs. This suggests that steroid medications are very common in eczema treatment in Hong Kong.

However, excessive and long-term use of steroids will have certain side effects on the human body. In Hong Kong, steroid use has become a widespread concern due to the long-term use of steroid creams for the treatment of eczema by many patients. According to a survey also initiated by the Hong Kong Skin Foundation, Hong Kong eczema patients are more concerned about the side effects of steroid drugs. More than half (54%) of the patients worry that the drugs will cause damage to the skin, and nearly 40% of the patients worry about the side effects of steroids. Drugs create dependence.

Long-term use of steroids may cause side effects such as skin thinning, pigmentation, telangiectasia, and skin scarring, and it is addictive. Therefore, patients who use steroids for a long time need to closely monitor and control the dose to avoid steroid dependence and steroid withdrawal. Patients should also pay attention to self-care, including keeping the skin clean, maintaining proper humidity, avoiding irritating foods, etc., to reduce the aggravation of the condition and dependence on drugs.

In summary, steroids are an effective means of eczema treatment, but long-term and excessive use will have negative effects on the human body.

In addition, in the treatment of eczema, there are also some natural methods to relieve the symptoms of patients, such as using vegetable oils (such as calendula oil, neem oil), crocodile oil repair cream, organic moisturizing skin care lotion, etc., natural products for topical care, or Use traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and other traditional therapies for holistic treatment. Although these methods require a certain amount of time and patience, they can be used as an effective alternative for some patients who are sensitive to steroid drugs.

In general, steroids play an important role in the treatment of eczema, but patients need to use them reasonably under the guidance of doctors to avoid side effects and dependence. In addition, patients should also master some self-management methods, follow healthy living habits, and perform appropriate local and overall treatments to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.