Common skin cream has left me with horrific weeping, oozing wounds – I'm sharing photos to warn others of my mistake
A WOMAN that's been left with red, weeping rashes and open wounds says stopping using steroid cream has been "the most horrific thing she's ever been through".
Ineta Petraityte has been left housebound and in constant pain after developing Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).
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After years of using the drug to treat eczema, the 33-year-old's skin suddenly stopped responding to the treatment.
Ineta began breaking out in weeping rashes and open wounds, and developed an unbearable, deep itch.
Her hair also severely thinned, she lost more than three stone and became too weak to stand for long.
She spent her nights pacing in agony or lying on the floor in tears.
The condition also put immense pressure on her personal life.
Ineta had recently moved to Texas from London to be with her partner, but the relationship broke down shortly after her health began to decline.
'It's the most horrific thing I've been through,' Ineta said.
'You literally have to grieve your old self because you'll never be the same again – it's very traumatic.
'I couldn't leave my bed and didn't leave the house for three months. 'This condition is dehumanising.'
Originally from Lithuania, Ineta had been using topical steroids on and off since she was 16.
But by the end of 2023, her eczema worsened, seeing she used the cream around five times a day for a year.
Ineta claims she was never warned of the long-term dangers of using steroid creams consistently.
She said: 'I went and picked it up in the pharmacy without being checked by a doctor or dermatologist.
'No one knows how much someone is using – that's where the problem stems from.
'I had a stressful job that needed care and attention, and I used it for way longer than I should have.
'I knew it was a strong cream but I definitely didn't know it thins the skin or would give me the horrific symptoms that it has done.'
I knew it was a strong cream but I definitely didn't know it thins the skin or would give me the horrific symptoms that it has done
Ineta Petraityte
Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) is a severe skin reaction that can happen when someone stops using steroid creams after long-term use.
The skin flares up – often with burning, itching, redness and oozing.
Ineta, who worked for a life coach company before she became unwell, says she had no idea what was happening to her body until Christmas 2024.
A desperate Google image search led her to TSW.
That's when it all clicked – the creams she'd been using were harming her instead of helping her.
Red rashes were the first sign
Ineta says the problem initially started as red rashes before developing into weeping skin.
It then became dry and flaky and her hair started severely thinning.
She said: 'My hair was touching my bum – it was nice and blonde.
'Now it's just below [my] ears because I had to cut a lot of it off.'
Sadly, Ineta is still in the grips of TSW and struggling with cracked skin, weeping wounds and itchiness every day.
Seeking 'sun and sea therapy'
She recently moved to the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean to try 'sun and sea therapy'.
While the saltwater stings her skin, she hopes the natural and warm climate will help her recover.
She's also set up a GoFundMe appeal to help fund her health journey.
Ineta said: 'I have to vacuum the bed every morning because I leave a Hansel and Gretel trail of flakes everywhere.
'I have complete insomnia now – I sleep every third night.
'But I hope that my move to the Cayman Islands will see my skin improve.
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'After a challenging journey, I am now on the mend and steadily improving.
'Recovery from TSW is often a slow and difficult process, but many – myself included – start to see real progress around the one-year mark.
'It's important for others going through this to know that while the symptoms can be intense and debilitating, healing is possible with time.
'I'm sharing my experience to offer hope and to raise awareness about the typical recovery timeline that so many in the TSW community endure.
'Despite what I am going through, I take comfort in sharing my story because I want to help others.
'People need to know that these creams offer temporary relief but potentially permanent regret.
'Consult a doctor before you start using them. 'One tube too far can scar for life.'
Products that help eczema
Jae Rance, creator of ScratchSleeves and author of The Calm Skin Guide, shares her top products to help eczema.
For eczema around the mouth: Try an SLS free toothpaste like Oranurse.
Prevent itching at night: Covering your child's hands at night may help. ScratchSleeves have built-in mitts to cover the hands. Socks are an immediate solution when you have nothing to hand, but are easier to rip off.
For cleaning skin: Using plain water and a microfibre wash mitt can do wonders for keeping your baby clean. You can also use your regular emollient for washing.
To remove potential laundy detergent triggers: Contrary to popular belief, biological detergents are not a common trigger for eczema. Instead it's the optical brighteners and fragrances that typically cause the problem. Fragrance free versions of eco brands like Ecover Zero are a good option.
To help itch relief: Some eczema creams like E45 Itch Relief include anti-itch ingredients which act as a local anaesthetic. These creams can usually only be used twice a day but can be really useful when the itch is really annoying, especially at bedtime. Oatmeal has anti-itch properties. Aveeno is the best known oatmeal based brand, AproDerm also has a good range.
Boost the skin barrier: Ceramides can help to re-establish the balance of fats necessary for the skin barrier to function effectively. One ceramide-containing cream is looking particularly hopeful – EpiCeram, which is prescription only. CeraVe Moisturising Cream for dry and very dry skin, which also contains ceramides, available over the counter.
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"They need to be used four times a day to keep the levels of the active ingredient high enough to be effective. "Keep using them even if symptoms improve. 'Using a good eye drop to lubricate the eyes may also help with dry eyes during the summer months.' While it might not help with your hay fever sniffles, honey does of course have other health benefits. Researchers at the University of Oxford found it can effectively relieve cough and cold symptoms. It also contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytochemicals, which are anti-inflammatory and contain cancer-fighting antioxidants. But that doesn't mean it's good for everyone, as it's also very high in sugar. Dietitian Emma Shafqat said one tablespoon contains around 6g, so she recommends consuming it 'in moderation'. Excess sugar intake can contribute to tooth decay, weight gain and blood sugar spikes, so people with diabetes should take particular care. 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I started taking some in the morning with breakfast and stopped taking my antihistamines. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in apples, onions and berries. It has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine-like effects Dr Helen Wall I definitely loved having it in my porridge, but I'm not sure it had any effect. The pollen count was exceptionally high on the week of the test and my itchy eyes and sneezing continued as normal. I struggled to sleep because of it too and after seven days, I had to go back on the antihistamines as I looked as though I'd been crying. I admit to being disappointed. I'd far rather have taken honey to ease my symptoms than medication. But it just didn't do the job. 4 Scientists say local honey likely won't help treat your itchy eyes Credit: Getty DO ANY NATURAL REMEDIES WORK? SO honey doesn't work, but what else can you try? Nasal irrigation is the 'strongest contender' for a natural hay fever remedy, according to Dr Wall. She says a saline rinse may flush out allergens and reduce congestion. As a treatment, it is safe and low risk. But there are other options to try. 'Quercetin is a flavonoid found in apples, onions and berries,' Helen says. 'It has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine-like effects. 'Again there is limited evidence in humans but there have been some positive results in reducing nasal symptoms in particular, and these are foods which are good for you anyway.' Some studies have also found spirulina (blue-green algae) may work as a treatment. It's thought to reduce allergic rhinitis symptoms and it's an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. A 2018 Chinese study also recommended acupuncture as an effective treatment, particularly for nasal congestion and sneezing.
