Some potential topical steroid side effects include burning, stinging, stretch marks, skin thinning, and infections.
Long-term use can lead to skin and eye damage.
Burning or stinging sensations may also occur.
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Erythema may occur when first starting treatment and gradually resolve as your skin adapts to the treatment.
But, it can also develop if with high-potency steroids or when the drug is overused.
This may require a dose adjustment or the discontinuation of treatment.
The risk is greatest in people with existing comedones or acne.
Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitisis a generally non-severe reaction experienced by some topical steroid users.
Tachyphylaxis
Tachyphylaxisis a rapid decrease in the response to a topical steroid due to repeated use.
Overuse of steroids can cause the skin to develop a tolerance to the drug, rendering them useless.
When this happens, people will often increase the dosage or apply the steroid more frequently.
Tachyphylaxis can usually be reversed by stopping treatment for at least seven days and then restarting.
Skin Atrophy
Skin atrophyis one of the most common side effects of topical steroid overuse.
When this happens, the skin can become lax, wrinkled, and shiny.
Skin atrophy can make the outer layer of skin noticeably thinner and the underlying veins more visible.
Stretch marks from topical steroid use are permanent and irreversible.
They can be very itchy and may require a lower-strength steroid to treat the underlying itch.
A typical example of this is when someone applies a topical steroid to an itchy groin rash.
A fungal skin infection due to topical steroids is known as tinea incognito.
