Topical corticophobia among parents and caregivers of atopic children

Abstract

Topical corticosteroids are one of the most frequently prescribed medications for skin diseases especially for atopic dermatitis (AD). Due to the rampant over-the-counter availability of these medications, misuse, and abuse of these drugs is well documented. The undesirable side-effects of corticosteroids are often seen in these patients. This has recently given rise to the phenomenon of“topical steroid phobia” where the patients or their caregivers are reluctant to use them even when prescribed by the physicians. This makes the proper management of steroid-responsive diseases like AD, very difficult. In this article, we have discussed the causes of emergence of this phobia, the problems it is posing and how to deal with them.

Keywords

• Atopic children
• topical corticophobia
• topical corticosteroids