Betamethasone If used on large areas of skin for prolonged periods of time, potent steroids can be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect other areas of the body. Extremely rarely this may cause side effects such as growth suppression or adrenal suppression. The adrenal glands produce the body s natural steroid hormones. If sufficient topical steroid is absorbed into the body it can suppress this natural steroid production, which can lead to illness such as Cushing’s syndrome. Children who need frequent or prolonged courses of potent steroids are at a higher risk of systemic side effects than adults and should be referred to a dermatologist who may want to monitor their growth and development