Dangers of long-term steroid use
March 25th, 2009Topical steroids are a range of medications given to patients by doctors and dermatologists. Their uses are common but wide in scope, and include various skin disorders and diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, dermatitis, and rashes.
The general public usually view topical steroids as harmless, however they are related to the same medicinal family as the dangerous anabolic steroid. As most of us well know, not only are anabolic steroids highly addictive, they are severely toxic and damaging, especially when taking into account the high degree of severe side effects they carry.
CONSIDERATIONS IN DETERMINING THE BEST TREATMENT FOR ACNE
Topical steroids achieve their goals by rapidly absorbing themselves into the skin cells of patients. Once absorbed they are able to cease an array of inflammation-causing chemicals that are normally released when the skin reacts to allergens or irritation.
If no remedial action is taken, the inflammation-causing chemicals widen blood vessels causing redness and swelling. Therefore, by preventing this release within the skin, inflammation is reduced and relief is provided for any previous symptoms such as itchiness. Although, the danger in their use lies in the fact that their application can be accompanied by harsh internal side effects, and increased skin problems.
With regards to the internal side effects, perhaps the most dangerous is adrenal gland suppression. Topical steroids also suppress the production of natural steroids, which are essential for healthy living, and therefore stopping the steroids suddenly may then result in unforeseen illnesses.
Other more telling internal side effects include: Crushing’s Syndrome, fluid retention, raised blood pressure, diabetes, increased aggression, anaphylactic shock, birth defects, blood clotting, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, gynecomastia, hair loss, kidney and liver problems, prostate enlargement, and testicular atrophy.
In reference to the skin, the side effects are just as detrimental. This includes but is not limited to:
- Skin thinning (atrophy) and stretch marks (striae) - Easy bruising and tearing of the skin - Perioral dermatitis (rash around the mouth) - Enlarged blood vessels (telangiectasia) - Susceptibility to skin infections - Disguising infection e.g. tinea incognito - Allergy to the steroid cream
All of these side effects are far more harmful and dangerous to one’s system than the original skin conditions the medication is designed to alleviate. However, there are other solutions to skin problems such as natural acne treatment cream that avoid all such severe side effects.
Taking into account the above information, natural skincare solutions are therefore thebest treatment for acne. Poor acne health can be easily reversed through the use of a natural acne treatment gel such as Bioskinclear, an oil free product that assists in removing acne scarring, while reducing and preventing acne and rosacea. Bioskincare is equally as effective. This biological skin cream stops acne inflammation, keeps acne bacteria under control, prevents proliferation of cysts, unclogs pores quickly, and eliminates redness, dryness, and scarring.
- Sabina Carvalho