Abstract
Topical corticosteroids have been rampantly used, misused and abused down the years in various ways. Topical steroid abuse may lead to a couple of psychosomatic problems particularly topical corticosteroid addiction. Topical steroid addiction was recognised about a decade after the introduction of the molecule. It is manifested as psychological distress due to continuous and unsupervised use and misuse of the drug as well as a rebound phenomenon occurring when the drug is stopped. The ill effects of topical corticosteroid addiction and rebound occur both as cutaneous and systemic manifestations and may in some cases be irreversible particularly in the face and genitalia. “Topical corticosteroid addiction/dependence” implies the cutaneous and psychological dependence of the patient on the drug (topical corticosteroid), which results in rebound phenomenon and psychological distress on stoppage of its application. It is this psychological aspect which differentiates this condition from the other topical corticosteroid-induced skin reactions.
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Coondoo, A., Lahiri, K., Ghosh, A. (2018). Topical Corticosteroid Addiction. In: Lahiri, K. (eds) A Treatise on Topical Corticosteroids in Dermatology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4609-4_27
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4609-4_27
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