So you’ve been to the doctor about that crazy rash that you have and now have been prescribed some cream. Most likely the cream is made with a steroid of sorts, like hydrocortisone with the directions to use it sparingly and infrequently.
Why a steroid?
Steroids are the standard prescribed medication for weird and crazy skin rashes because a steroid takes away inflammation. With the inflammation gone, the area is no longer red and itchy and it has a chance to heal itself. It is important to note that a steroid cream will not likely cure the rash. Instead what it does is:
- Relieves the itching by soothing and calming the nerves in the area of the irritation,
- Stops reaction if it is an allergy,
- Gives your body relief.
This sounds great, and it would be if steroids didn’t have side effects.
For one thing, steroids slow down the body’s healing. This means that although the steroid cream may have soothed the itch, it will take your body longer to heal itself. Of course without the cream you would be making a mess of the area anyway with all of your scratching. The steroid cream is probably going to give your body the chance to better heal on its own even if it is slower. However, remember, the cream is not curing you from the rash, but alleviating some of the symptoms.
Another side effect of using steroids is a depressed immune system. This can lead to secondary infections.
Steroid cream use may also lead to a thinning of the skin, a condition known as atrophy,. This in turn may lead to skin that is more prone to abrasions and infections. This may also lead to stretch marks.
Finally, after using steroids for a length of time, your body will need a break. Your body may also need to have a higher and higher percentage of steroid in the cream to continue being effective over time.
If you do choose to use a steroid to provide relief from your skin condition, use it only as recommended by a health care professional. Whenever possible, it is best to minimize the use of steroid creams. There are other natural treatment options that may also help alleviate your skin conditions with fewer, if any, side effects.
Stayed tuned for some ideas.
Susie
