Doctors need greater awareness of topical steroid withdrawal to counter online misinformation

Credit: Getty Images/tylim

By Emma Wilkinson

A rise in social media discussions around topical steroid withdrawal is leading patients to refuse treatment for skin conditions, doctors have warned.

“Alarming” online narratives warning about the risks of topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) have led to patients having a phobia about steroid use and their skin condition being poorly managed, dermatologists said in BMJ Case Reports.