Topical Steroid Damaged/Dependent Face (TSDF): A Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India

Awareness against abuse of topical corticosteroids (TC), especially over the face, has been going on for last 5 years in India. In spite of that we are getting lots of cases in our hospitals.

The aims of this study were to ascertain the demographics, magnitude and clinical features of TC misuse on the face among the dermatology outpatient department (OPD) attendees and to analyze its causes.

This study was conducted in a tertiary care medical center of eastern India. Patients with relevant facial dermatoses were asked about their current use of topical formulations and confirmed to be TSDF were included in the study.

A total of 748 patients with facial dermatoses were screened, of which 271 (36.22%) were using TC. Of them mostly young adults between 20 and 29 years (37.10%) were using TC. Average duration between starting of use of medication and the onset of symptoms was 5 months. Ninety-eight (36.16%) patients were using topical corticosteroid for the treatment of acne and 74 (27.30%) were using as depigmenting cream. About 108 (39.85%) patients bought medicine over the counter being recommended by pharmacist/shop owner. Rosacea like features with photosensitivity was the most common adverse effect found in 79 (29.15%) patients whereas comedonal acne/acne exacerbation were found in 68 (25.09%) patients. Most of them (227, 83.76%) were unaware about the side effects of steroids.

TC misuse in patients with facial dermatoses is still quite common even after efforts to grow the awareness among population.