Topical steroid cream withdrawal left man with eczema ‘bedridden’

Steroids – also called corticosteroids – are medicines used to treat a range of conditions such as eczema and asthma.

The NHS advises that most people will not have side effects , externalwhen they stop taking a steroid medication, but says those on a high dose or who have been taking them for longer than three weeks usually need to reduce their dose gradually.

In March, Prof Sara Brown, a consultant dermatologist at the University of Edinburgh, secured funding from the National Eczema Society for first-of-its-kind research into TSW, after noting “unexplainable” symptoms in her own patients and the desperation in social media posts from others with eczema.

“We’re seeing patterns in TSW that cannot be explained by what is known about eczema,” she said.

“Before everything changed, I was a social person,” said Meilir, who was vice captain of a football team and part of the Welsh society at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he recently graduated with a degree in sports media.

“I felt that even with my condition I had to make an effort to play [and I am] very proud of myself for doing that,” he said.

“But I look in the mirror and see someone who is so different to myself. I cancel plans or can’t turn up for my friends and family – so different to the real me, who enjoys being in the company of others.”