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How To Get Rid Of Steroid Dependence?
Question: My son has been suffering from topical and oral steroid dependence and has been off meds for over a year. His aunt, two counsins and grandfather had either asthma or eczema. Do you test for genetic mutation and can alleviate his constant flaring and healing of his skin which is now concentrated in his face, neck, chest, arms and hands.
Brief Answer:
Kindly send details & pictures of affected areas.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the steroid abuse and dependence in your sin and I am quite empathetic to his condition. I quite often see cases of your son like condition which is really troublesome.
In view to help you best I humbly request you to kindly elaborate your son's concerns as if he is getting any thinning of skin or red rashes or any eruptions. Tell me if he has any itching or burning over same.
It would be best if you can upload few good resolution pictures of the affected area so that I can analyse and then guide you best.
Tell me if he is on any sort of medications presently.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Kindly send details & pictures of affected areas.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the steroid abuse and dependence in your sin and I am quite empathetic to his condition. I quite often see cases of your son like condition which is really troublesome.
In view to help you best I humbly request you to kindly elaborate your son's concerns as if he is getting any thinning of skin or red rashes or any eruptions. Tell me if he has any itching or burning over same.
It would be best if you can upload few good resolution pictures of the affected area so that I can analyse and then guide you best.
Tell me if he is on any sort of medications presently.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your reply. 10 yrs use. Also oral and topical steroids during flares. Tried protopic and didn't work. He had whole body red skin, oozing, burning, and pimple-like lesions on arms, scaling and peeling. Cycle begins again after shedding. He had patch test positive for most environmental tests. Just decided after that to just stop all Meds and slowly cleared after a year but still has some active redness on elbows, neck and hairline and scaly dry excoriated areas.
Brief Answer:
Various tests and send pictures of the lesions
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome again to the forum and thanks a lot for your swift response.
I can get from your findings that the condition had been quit severe and the dependence was of quite high level.
First of all I want to reassure you that here is nothing to be worried about your son's condition though not so good but can be managed.
I suggest you to kindly go through certain tests such as complete blood counts including CBC, ESR, BLOOD UREA, CREATININE and liver fUnction tests. A Xray of lumbosacral region and long bones is important to know the effect on bones. A urine examination will tell us about anything unusual in kidneys.
In the time being period kindly click some good resolution pictures of the areas affected and send it to me by the feature on right of the page.
Hope to hear soon from your side.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Various tests and send pictures of the lesions
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome again to the forum and thanks a lot for your swift response.
I can get from your findings that the condition had been quit severe and the dependence was of quite high level.
First of all I want to reassure you that here is nothing to be worried about your son's condition though not so good but can be managed.
I suggest you to kindly go through certain tests such as complete blood counts including CBC, ESR, BLOOD UREA, CREATININE and liver fUnction tests. A Xray of lumbosacral region and long bones is important to know the effect on bones. A urine examination will tell us about anything unusual in kidneys.
In the time being period kindly click some good resolution pictures of the areas affected and send it to me by the feature on right of the page.
Hope to hear soon from your side.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Lesions are drying up on his upper arms but still pink red on neck, folds on elbows and face. His flare this week he attributed to sun and SPF spray. I tried him on methylcobalamin b12, b6 and folate sublingual and probiotics and emuaid cream. It seems to help but I just think its subsiding until the next cycle. He refuse to take a picture and I'm sorry I can't provide this. If he starts another cycle he has an appointment at UCLA next week with the dermatologist. Thank you for the lab tests recommendation. I'll make sure he gets tested. He's a strong young adult. He just needs some relief.
Brief Answer:
Give loratadine upto 3 times for itching.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your follow up.
First of all hats off to you for your dedication and devotion in taking care of your son. Though we know that it's duty of parents to take care their children but the way you are making the efforts is remarkable.
It is quite fine that if he is not willing for sending the picture. A close skin picture would have helped us in making a close idea regarding present skin condition but if not possible then no issues for it.
A blood profile with all the liver and kidney function will help us in making any idea regarding derangement in any of the system. Various X rays will tell us any rarefaction in bones and skeletal system.
Even if there is no problem in any investigation then also I suggest you to give your son a calcium supplementation and an iron supplementation. Both these things will help in fast recovery of your son's condition. Make it sure that the iron should not be given with calcium or other milk products.
Additionally in my patients I also suggest diet with protein supplementation.
For the part of itching and burning yiu can give loratadine tabkets (Claritin) for up to 3 to 4 times if is unbearable and for two times if is mild to moderate. A bland lotion with moisturization property helps a lot in improving the skin strength.
Mild exercise and yoga helps in improving strength and immunity of body and also regaining muscle strength.
Give your son the positive motivations and ask him to give postie feedbacks to himself.
I am very confident that under your guidance and care your son would be recovering at the earliest.
I am just besides you for any guidance.
With best regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Give loratadine upto 3 times for itching.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your follow up.
First of all hats off to you for your dedication and devotion in taking care of your son. Though we know that it's duty of parents to take care their children but the way you are making the efforts is remarkable.
It is quite fine that if he is not willing for sending the picture. A close skin picture would have helped us in making a close idea regarding present skin condition but if not possible then no issues for it.
A blood profile with all the liver and kidney function will help us in making any idea regarding derangement in any of the system. Various X rays will tell us any rarefaction in bones and skeletal system.
Even if there is no problem in any investigation then also I suggest you to give your son a calcium supplementation and an iron supplementation. Both these things will help in fast recovery of your son's condition. Make it sure that the iron should not be given with calcium or other milk products.
Additionally in my patients I also suggest diet with protein supplementation.
For the part of itching and burning yiu can give loratadine tabkets (Claritin) for up to 3 to 4 times if is unbearable and for two times if is mild to moderate. A bland lotion with moisturization property helps a lot in improving the skin strength.
Mild exercise and yoga helps in improving strength and immunity of body and also regaining muscle strength.
Give your son the positive motivations and ask him to give postie feedbacks to himself.
I am very confident that under your guidance and care your son would be recovering at the earliest.
I am just besides you for any guidance.
With best regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor. Your advice is very much appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Beat wishes for early recovery of your son.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You are most welcome to take any sort of guidance regarding health issues of your son.
I would be more than happy to help you. My all best wishes for the best and early recovery of your son.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Beat wishes for early recovery of your son.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You are most welcome to take any sort of guidance regarding health issues of your son.
I would be more than happy to help you. My all best wishes for the best and early recovery of your son.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Note: For detailed guidance on genetic screening consult a genetics specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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