How to prevent and treat glucocorticoid-dependent dermatitis on the face

  1. Prevention Hormone dependent dermatitis is caused by improper application of hormones, so avoiding the abuse and misuse of hormones is the key. We should not use drug preparations of unknown ingredients to apply on the face; it is best to seek the advice of a specialist before applying cosmetics obtained from stores or beauty salons.  2. Treatment Treatment principles: ① Completely stop using corticosteroid preparations. Gradual withdrawal can be used, such as gradually reducing the intensity and concentration of hormones, extending the interval of use, etc., until completely discontinued.  ②Symptomatic treatment.  ③ Appropriate medication.  Here is a brief introduction to TCM treatment: According to TCM, dermatitis caused by corticosteroids is equivalent to drug toxicity, which belongs to “heat toxicity”, and all the symptoms it produces are related to external wind, heat, dampness and poisonous evil.  In the progressive stage of the disease, the evidence is that heat and toxicity are prevalent, at this time, oral herbal medicine should be mainly used to cool the blood and detoxify the toxin, and to reduce dampness and swelling. In principle, we should try not to use topical drugs and adopt “soothing therapy” to avoid stimulating local skin.  In the recovery period, the evidence is that blood is deficient and wind is dry. At this time, oral Chinese medicine should mainly nourish Yin and clear heat, moisten the skin and relieve itching. For skin lesions in the recovery period, egg yolk oil with ice chips, comfrey oil, purple zinc oil or hormone-free emollient oil or cream, such as compound snake ointment, can be used externally.  Our patients’ dependence on hormones can be overcome with correct diagnosis and proper treatment. Whether the damage caused by drugs can be cured and how long it takes to cure are affected by various factors, including age, gender, skin thickness, the nature of the drug (hormone), the site of drug use, the duration of drug use and the type of lesion. Clinical practice confirms that follicular papules, follicular pustules and acne-like lesions and swellings are easier to eliminate and generally take about 3 months. Diffuse redness, vasodilatation, skin atrophy, dryness, pigmentation changes, etc. are more difficult to treat and require a longer period of time, at least 6 months of treatment, and in some cases even up to several years, while severe skin atrophy lines, which are permanent damage, especially in the elderly, are incurable.  For the patient’s friends, the diet should not into spicy, fishy, moving wind things, not to drink alcohol; to avoid the sun, not to wash the face with hot water, hot shower, not to steam sauna.