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TSW Enigma: Doctors and Patients Divided Over Skin Treatment
11 Apr
Summary
- Some patients report severe reactions to steroid creams, known as TSW.
- TSW was recognized by the UK's MHRA as a reaction to steroid creams.
- There's a significant mistrust between doctors and patients regarding TSW.
A challenging skin condition, often stemming from long-term steroid cream use for eczema, is creating a rift between patients and doctors. Bethany Norman, who has suffered from severe symptoms including open wounds and relentless itching, has voiced her distrust in steroid creams, refusing them for her infant son.
She believes the prescribed creams for her lifelong eczema led to her own debilitating TSW. Norman's experience highlights a growing concern among patients who feel conventional treatments are ineffective or even harmful.
In 2021, the UK's medicine watchdog, the MHRA, acknowledged TSW as a reaction to steroid creams. However, it has not been established as an official diagnosis with a recognized set of symptoms. This lack of clarity contributes to significant mistrust and communication breakdowns between medical professionals and those affected.
Dr. Pippa Bowes notes that some patients do not feel believed, while medical professionals grapple with understanding the complex condition, further deepening the enigma surrounding TSW.
