Brief Answer:
Kindly send details & pictures

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the various effects on skin after using HH sone cream.

In view to help you best I request you to kindly send certain details-

- since how long you are using the cream.

-was it a self application or prescribed by a doctor.
-Do you see any extra hair growth on face.

- Do you see any redness or blood vessels or thinning of the skin.

It would be better if you can upload few good resolution pictures of the affected area.

Hope to hear soon from your side.

Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY

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Brief Answer:
"Steroid Abuse" or "Steroid dependence".

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX

Welcome again to the forum and thanks for posting details along with pictures.

I can understand the concern for dark skin. After getting all the informations and analyzing the pictures I make the diagnosis of "Steroid Abuse" or "Steroid dependence".


"Steroid Abuse" or "Steroid dependence" is quite common phenomenon where after long term, injudicious and unregistered use of steroid creams without medical advice as self application lead to the multiple side effects.

Topical steroid creams are potentially known to cause side effects on long term or injudicious use in form of thinning of skin, hair growth on affected area and prominence of vessels with rashes.

In your case you have applied HHsone cream which contains mometasone in it. This is a medium potency steroid and is never to be used on face for beyond 15 days.

I very often see person of your age using this cream and damaging the skin. Once it is started on face it initially gives fair complexion. This is because of mild stoppage of the activity of color producing cells. So it produces initial fair complexion.

But on regular usage it first produces rebound hyper-pigmentation, eruption of pimples like bumps, thinning of skin known as skin atrophy and finally hair growth.

I am highly surprised and shocked to know that you used the cream for 1 year period. But the good thing is that now you have stopped using the cream.

For the betterment you need to meet a dermatologist who can take off the steroidal side effects slowly with different medications. You need to have patience of multiple months to get off from the situation. To take off the side effect and making the skin lighter again I general prescribe Kojic acid cream or Azelaic acid cream at night time only over the affected area. Apply it in such a thin layer that it should not be visible by naked eye. Do not try to rub it. It is generally diluted with some bland cream to reduce the irritation. So these creams are to be used under dermatological guidance only.

As you have stopped using the cream so you may get more eruptions. Do not worry about the same as it is a usual process in everyone using these kind of steroids. You may require oral medications also.

All the side effects will take almost couple of months or longer to get reduced so have patience. It is requested to you to not use any cream or application without dermatological guidance.

Hope these informations will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to help.

Regards.
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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Brief Answer:
Have regular follow up with dermatologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello young lady,

Welcome again and thanks for your swift response.

It is really good that you are in follow up with a proper dermatologist. The treatment given by the treating doctor is quite good and he/she must have guided you regarding your condition.

Steroid dependence is quite notorious condition and we have to try different regimens as per close physical examination. Accordingly your doctor has tried to provide good treatment. All of the medications are quite safe. Tretinoin application needs special attention. If you are married and want to conceive then stop the cream 4 weeks before the conception.

I guide my patients to apply this cream at night time in thinnest possible amount. A rule of thumb is that a pea size amount is sufficient for palm size area. So you can apply accordingly. Initially it may give you dry and flaky skin but alter on as the cream gets adjusted ( in 6 weeks) provides good results.

Additionally once the eruptions are settled then you can ask your doctor to start skin lightening agents such as kojic acid or azelaic acid creams.

Do have good and regular follow up with your dermatologist so that he/she can see the progress and accordingly improvise the treatment.

I wish best and early resolution of the problem.

I will be glad to answer any further queries or if not then can close the discussion and rate the answer.

For any future clarifications and guidance you can ask me directly at:

bit.ly/drsanjaykanodia

“with glowing skin wishes”

Regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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