help, i have skin asthma...is too much steroids bad for me?

Question

it's been with me for a couple of years now, with my medication, i think iv been applying too much steroids already, is it bad?

Answer 1

Skin asthma also known as eczema is a common condition in many people. Both of my children have eczema.

If your doctor is advising you to use steroid cream and is *monitoring* your condition-you should be fine.

If you are concerned about having eczema so long and co currently applying steroid cream-you should probably look into what is causing your outbreak of eczema. Often times eczema is due to an allergic reaction or being exposed to an irritant.

It is important to find the underlying cause of what is making your eczema "break out". In order to do that, you will most likely need to visit an allergist. An allergist will be able to tell you what is causing your eczema.

Overuse of steroids -can- be a bad thing. But it is usually the oral steroids that doctors worry about. If your doctor is prescibing steroid creams-and keeping track of you-you should be all set.

Although I would strongly urge you to get to the source of what is causing your skin to be so sensitive.

Good Luck to you and God Bless.
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Here's what www.eczema.org/ says about the different types of eczema:

Atopic eczema

Atopic eczema is the commonest form of eczema and is closely linked with asthma and hayfever. It can affect both children and adults, usually running in families. One of the most common symptoms of atopic eczema is its itchiness (or pruritis), which can be almost unbearable. Other symptoms include overall dryness of the skin, redness and inflammation. Constant scratching can also cause the skin to split, leaving it prone to infection. In infected eczema the skin may crack and weep (‘wet’ eczema). Treatments include emollients to maintain skin hydration and steroids to reduce inflammation.


Allergic contact dermatitis

Develops when the body’s immune system reacts against a substance in contact with the skin. The allergic reaction often develops over a period of time through repeated contact with the substance. For example, an allergic reaction may occur to nickel, which is often found in earrings, belt buckles and jeans buttons. Reactions can also occur after contact with other substances such as perfumes and rubber. In order to prevent repeated reactions it is best to prevent contact with anything that you know causes a rash.


Irritant contact dermatitis

This is a type of eczema caused by frequent contact with everyday substances, such as detergents and chemicals, which are irritating to the skin. It most commonly occurs on the hands of adults and can be prevented by avoiding the irritants and keeping the skin moisturised.


Infantile seborrhoeic eczema

A common condition affecting babies under one year old, the exact cause of which is unknown. Also referred to as cradle cap, it usually starts on the scalp or the nappy area and quickly spreads. Although this type of eczema looks unpleasant, it is not sore or itchy and does not cause the baby to feel uncomfortable or unwell. Normally this type of eczema will clear in just a few months, though the use of moisturising creams and bath oils can help to speed this along.


Adult seborrhoeic eczema

Characteristically affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40. It is usually seen on the scalp as mild dandruff, but can spread to the face, ears and chest. The skin becomes red, inflamed and starts to flake. The condition is believed to be caused by a yeast growth. If the condition becomes infected, treatment with an anti-fungal cream may be necessary.


Varicose eczema

Varicose eczema affects the lower legs of those in their middle to late years, being caused by poor circulation. Commonly the skin around the ankles is affected, becoming speckled, itchy and inflamed. Treatment is with emollients and steroid creams. If left untreated, the skin can break down, resulting in an ulcer.


Discoid eczema

Is usually found in adults and appears suddenly as a few coin shaped areas of red skin, normally on the trunk or lower legs. They become itchy and can weep fluid. Usually discoid eczema is treated with emollients (and steroid creams if necessary).

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Asthma is an allergy and is triggered by something. The best non medication treatment for asthma is learning your triggers and avoiding them. Common triggers are smoke, dust, mold, mildew, plants, dust mites, pets and grass/weeds.

If you can not figure our your triggers, you may need to see an allergist and have allergy screening done. This may point out your triggers.

The National Asthma Prevention Program and the Expert Panel of Diagnosis and Management of Asthma both agree if you have to use a prescription inhaler such as albuterol more then two time per week, your asthma is NOT in control and you will need a prescription controller medication.

Controller medications are steroids (Asthmacort Asthmanex, Flovent, Pulmocort), Leukotriene modifier (Singulair, Aculade, Zyflo) or mast cell stabilizers (Cromolyn sodium, Intal, Tilade).

You may want to talk to your doctor about several strong controller medications and maybe Xolair shots.

If you want a proven, all-natural way to cure your asthma, without having to pay for useless medications with harmful side-effects, then this is the most important page you'll ever read.

Answer 4

Have you been screened for chrons disease and celiac disease? There are a couple of other believed to root in autoimmune disorders that are known for eczema. Alot of people that I know with eczema were also later diagnosed with chrons or celiac, and once they got the condition under control, their eczema greatly improved.

Regarding the steriods - Use it -EXACTLY- as directed. If you're not using it as directed, yes it can be harmful. The steriods repress immune response so you can end up with some nasty infections where your skin is broken.

Answer 5

Ask lestermount

Answer 6

yes steroids are bad for you when you use them in the wrong way, but you apparently need this for yoour health, if you are really concerend ask your dr for other treetment options

Answer 7

i don't know but i bet the steroids is making your body look pretty hot

Answer 8

The type of steriods that are used are NOT the same kind that athletes use to "bulk-up". However, they can stunt growth in children.

Answer 9

yes steroid is harmful for u

Answer 10

Consult a dermatologist, try to cut down or substitute.