According to a new study, long term use of steroid creams to treat children with the skin condition known as eczema doesn't cause any major negative side effects.
It has been known that these creams and lotions applied to the skin can be concerning and many parents have refrained from using them leading to poorly managed eczema in children, the researchers explained. The most common fear among parents is that these ointments - which contain steroids such as hydrocortisone or fluticasone - will cause thinning of their child's skin. Some health care providers also share these concerns.
In this study the researchers looked at 70 children who were treated with enough of the topical corticosteroids applied to the skin to consistently keep them virtually free of eczema, compared to a control group of 22 children who didn't receive the medication.
Throughout the study all of the children were assessed for signs of corticosteroid-related side effects. There were no differences between the children receiving the medication and those in the control group.
Gayle Fischer, of the University of Sydney in Australia, the lead researcher said, “Our results show that normal routine use of topical corticosteroids does not cause skin thinning, and parents should be reassured. We hope that our work will give them the confidence to use topical corticosteroids safely and effectively.”
Dr. Seth J. Orlow, chair of the department of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York City, and Weinberg Professor of Pediatric Dermatology at the NYU School of Medicine said, “Cortisone phobia is prevalent around the world and results in the under treatment of children and adults with eczema…While the authors didn't examine for any internal effects of cortisone absorption, we usually assume local effects would typically predate systemic ones…Parents, pediatricians and others should take comfort that this study supports the excellent safety record of prescription topical cortisones when used appropriately under the guidance of a knowledgeable physician to control a child's eczema over extended periods of time.”
The study is published in the current issue of the journal Pediatric Dermatology.
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