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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Atopic Eczema

I am on Prednisone for a while, every time i tapered it off, my skin, dermatitis, eczema flared up. Then i have to go back to prednisone again, 60mg/d for a week then taper it again. And the vicious cycle starts all over again for many years. Now my skin, especially on my forearms, becomes thin and atrophied. Is there any other way to control my atopic eczema ? because i do not want to go back to prednisone any more. Thanks.Andy.
posted on Thu, 4 Dec 2014
Twitter Tue, 13 Jan 2015 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 13 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic

Systemic steroids, specially if required in daily or in repeated courses can cause several adverse side effects like skin thinning and atrophy, acne, weight gain, striae, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, peptic ulcers etc to name a few.
Steroid sparing agents are an alternative to systemic steroids in severe atopic dermatitis and include agents like azathioprine, cyclosporin etc.
Atopic dermatitis is an immunologically mediated disease. The beneficial effects of these steroid sparing agents are due to there immunosuppressive properties just like systemic steroids but they are devoid of side effects encountered with steroids.
Besides switching on to steroid sparing agents topical treatment is an important part of the overall treatment of atopic dermatitis and includes emollients, topical immunomodulators and topical steroids.
Thus switching to steroid sparing agents and adjuvant topical treatment are measures that may be tried to help wean off Systemic steroids.

Regards
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Suggest Treatment For Atopic Eczema

Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic Systemic steroids, specially if required in daily or in repeated courses can cause several adverse side effects like skin thinning and atrophy, acne, weight gain, striae, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, peptic ulcers etc to name a few. Steroid sparing agents are an alternative to systemic steroids in severe atopic dermatitis and include agents like azathioprine, cyclosporin etc. Atopic dermatitis is an immunologically mediated disease. The beneficial effects of these steroid sparing agents are due to there immunosuppressive properties just like systemic steroids but they are devoid of side effects encountered with steroids. Besides switching on to steroid sparing agents topical treatment is an important part of the overall treatment of atopic dermatitis and includes emollients, topical immunomodulators and topical steroids. Thus switching to steroid sparing agents and adjuvant topical treatment are measures that may be tried to help wean off Systemic steroids. Regards