Let me ask you something, do you have an old tube of Cortizone 10 stashed in the back of your medicine cabinet? Many of us, before we knew the truth, have some sort of topical steroid, just in case, because itching skin can drive us crazy. But after you read this, you may consider throwing it away once and for all (like I did) and moving on to something a little more effective and natural.
Have you heard the term, bandaid approach, if not, it's the idea that we cover something up without actually fixing it, hoping that when we take the bandaid off, it will miraculously be gone. Well, this is sort of the approach topical steroids have, you may even put a literal bandaid over the applied cream to prevent it from getting all over your clothes.
Topical steroid creams are widely used to treat various skin conditions, most commonly eczema, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. The cream works by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system, which is meant to help alleviate symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling. This sounds great, but does it work?
If you've ever used topical corticosteroids for a skin condition you know that when you stop using them, the condition often returns with a vengeance. This is frustrating and creates a vicious cycle of not only long-term use but overuse of topical corticosteroids to mitigate symptoms. I speak from personal experience, I used to have terrible eczema! I would slather topical steroids, the CVS brand that was essentially Cortizone 10, all over the eczema on my hands, praying that it will heal once and for all. The reality was, that using the steroids created more problems, for me specifically, it caused thinning skin.
A study from the Indian Dermatology Online Journal mentions there are side effects for long-term use of topical corticosteroids. Some important ones to consider are epidermal thinning and changes in the connective tissue of the dermis leading to lax, transparent, wrinkled, and shiny skin. (PMID: 25396122)
This is why it is important to consider alternative options for skin conditions. Chinese Medicine has a long history of both internal and external or topical herbal formulas for skin conditions. Not only did I finally heal my eczema through the use of Chinese Medicine, but I was also able to use that experience to inspire the creation of KYA Skin washes. Each wash focuses on common symptoms associated with many skin conditions, whether you have dry, flakey skin or weeping-type eczema like I did.
So next time you reach for the topical steroids, remember the bandaid approach concept and opt for something natural, with no fragrances, harsh chemicals, or anything petroleum-based. These products will not help your body heal the skin conditions, they will lead you down the road of always keeping a bottle of topical steroids stashed in your medicine cabinet.
If you are interested in learning more about our skin line herbal washes and which one could work for you, click here. For a more holistic approach that targets both internal and external healing, we suggest pairing a Far East Summit internal tincture with our external wash.
For a complete and comprehensive plan, we always suggest consulting your acupuncturist for acupuncture treatment protocols, internal formulas, and dietary and lifestyle recommendations.