Latest news with #TSW
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Woman's skin 'trapped in vicious cycle' after extreme reaction to common cream
Francesca Tebbutt, 33, from Clunderwen in Wales, spent years unaware of what was causing the condition that left her feeling like her 'skin was constantly on fire' A woman's small rash snowballed into burning, flaking and weeping skin after she was repeatedly prescribed stronger doses of a commonly-used cream. Francesca Tebbutt, 33, says her skin is ''constantly on fire'' because of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). She first noticed itchy, red marks on her arm in 2023 - and sought medical advice when they didn't seem to go away. Her GP believed she was suffering from psoriasis or eczema and prescribed her topical steroid creams, to be applied for a couple of weeks at a time. The breakout disappeared quickly - but returned and spread, only for her to be prescribed stronger steroid creams. Francesca decided to stop the medication and see what happened but her skin began to burn, itch, and flake even more. For 18 months, the Pilates instructor from Clunderwen in Wales desperately sought information on her condition. Her skin now suffers burning, flaking, weeping, and swelling without warning. At her worst, even moving her arms, putting on clothes, or stepping into the shower becomes unbearable. Each time the steroids would clear the rash, but come back multiplied and more aggressive. She said: "It all began in March 2023, when I got a few little round, red dots on the inside of my left elbow," said Francesca. "They were a little bit itchy, little bit irritated - so when they didn't go away, I went to the doctors in May 2023, and that's when the doctor said it looked like it's psoriasis or eczema. He prescribed me steroids straight away for it. "I used the topical steroids, and it did go - but then maybe a month later, it came back and it spread. I went back and I was prescribed stronger steroids, and and this went on for the rest of 2023, on and off. "Every time I used them, it would go but then it would come back worse, and it would keep spreading. I was trapped in this vicious cycle: steroid cream, temporary relief, then a flare worse than before.'' In January 2024, after a year of using topical steroid creams and following her prescription instructions, she decided to stop - but her skin began to itch and swell. After a trip to A&E, Francesca was told by doctors that they were unsure what was causing the condition - but prescribed more steroids. This flare-up lasted months before fading, but again, when stopping the use of steroid creams, returned with a vengeance. Francesca says the constant pain was "unbearable," and after the patches spread to her face, she was once again prescribed more steroid creams by doctors. "I couldn't relax - I was so uncomfortable in my own skin, and there was no comfort anywhere, apart from in a bath, because my skin was so bad," she said. "I was constantly burning, but I was also really, really cold at the same time. I'd have ice packs on my arms where it would be burning, and then a hot water bottle on my belly to try and keep me warm. My partner couldn't sleep in the same bed as me for months because I had to keep moving and keep putting ice packs in places to stop the burning. "After a few months of the steroids, things started to calm down - I wasn't as inflamed, but you could still see these almost red sleeves that cut off at the wrist. "I started to get some patches around my lips, and I went to the doctor, and they advised me to put some steroid cream around my lips, so I did as I was told, thinking this will be the end of it." After stopping a course of steroid cream in late 2024, her condition worsened again - with the skin on her face tightening and causing pain when she tried to eat, talk, or drink. "Within three to four weeks, my face started to erupt. It started with a burning sensation, then it started to get all these little bubbles over it. They developed into this big red mass. I looked like my face had been in a fire, like I was burnt. I couldn't move my lips. Eating actually became very difficult. I remember, I used to eat an apple a day - but I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to eat an apple." Feeling like her life had been taken over by research into skin conditions, Francesca felt like she was at breaking point. In January this year, her research led her to an organisation spreading awareness of Topical Steroid Withdrawal - a condition that can occur after stopping high doses of steroids, and results in itchy, peeling skin. Despite being estimated to affect 15% of steroid users, she says she was never warned about the risks, and believes the regular use of steroid creams has worsened her condition. Francesca discovered Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Therapy - a non-invasive therapy that reduces inflammation, kills harmful bacteria, and helps restore the skin barrier. She received a diagnosis of TSW after a consultation with a clinic offering the treatment - which is only available privately. Desperate to return to normalcy, Francesca posted a video online, describing her experience with TSW - and launched a fundraiser to help get her life back. Thankfully, within days, Francesca had received outpourings of support - and has been able to undergo the first three sessions of CAP treatments, after which she says she has already noticed improvements. The fundraiser has not only allowed her to pay for treatments, but to afford things like new bandages to protect her irritated skin in between sessions, which she says has been a "huge relief." The support has been overwhelming - and she has become determined to share her own story, to avoid anyone else feeling alone while suffering from TSW. I just cannot believe how generous people have been and are being for me - I am lost for words," she said. A link to the fundraiser can be found here: Donate to Help me Heal TSW with CAP Therapy.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I had small rash - now I look like I've been burnt after reaction'
Francesca Tebbutt, 33, said her skin was ''constantly on fire'' A 33-year-old woman said she had been left looking 'like a burns victim' after an extreme reaction to a commonly used cream resulted in her skin being ''constantly on fire'' due to Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). In 2023, Francesca Tebbutt first noticed itchy, red, marks on her arm and when they persisted, she consulted her GP. The doctor suspected psoriasis or eczema and prescribed topical steroid creams for short-term use. Initially, the rash vanished swiftly but soon returned, spreading further, leading to prescriptions of even stronger steroids. Eventually, Francesca ceased using the medication, only to experience intensified burning, itching, and flaking of her skin. For a year-and-a-half the Pilates instructor from Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire, Wales, searched for answers about her condition, which now includes spontaneous episodes of burning, flaking, weeping, and swelling. At her lowest points, simple actions like moving her arms, dressing, or showering became excruciating. Despite temporary relief from the steroids, the rash would always return, more severe and aggressive each time. Francesca recounted the onset of her ordeal: "It all began in March 2023, when I got a few little round, red dots on the inside of my left elbow. They were a little bit itchy, a little bit irritated - so when they didn't go away, I went to the doctors in May 2023 and that's when the doctor said it looked like it's psoriasis or eczema. "He prescribed me steroids straight away for it. I remember actually asking him, 'how did this happen, and how can I stop it happening?' "He said there's nothing I could do and this was the cure. I used the topical steroids, and it did go - but then maybe a month later, it came back and it spread. "I went back and I was prescribed stronger steroids and this went on for the rest of 2023, on and off. Every time I used them, it would go, but then it would come back worse, and it would keep spreading. I was trapped in this vicious cycle: steroid cream, temporary relief, then a flare worse than before.''". "When it got to January in 2024, I knew the steroids were a band aid," she said. "So I thought, 'I'm going to stop using them'. "By the end of the month, my whole arm and hands were covered in an itchy rash. It was quite scary, because I didn't really know what was going on, and then I started swelling as well. "It was difficult, because it was in winter, and because of my arms, I couldn't wear any clothing on them, so I was always in t-shirts. I just remember being so cold all the time because I couldn't physically put any clothing on my arms. "My wrist swelled and my elbow swelled and I couldn't actually fully straighten my arms or bend my wrists. I didn't know what was going on and me and my partner decided it was best to go to AandE, and off we went. "We saw the doctor and he said, 'I don't know what this is. I don't know if it's eczema. I don't know if it's psoriasis'. It was actually quite refreshing hearing someone say, 'I don't know' and that they'll seek advice somewhere else. "I got a call from him the day after and he said that the dermatologist suspects that it is a form of eczema. They prescribed me more steroids that were stronger than what I'd had before. When I put these steroids on my skin, the burning and stinging of just applying them was unbearable." This flare-up lasted months before fading, but again, when stopping the use of steroid creams, it returned with a vengeance. Francesca said the constant pain was "unbearable" and after the patches spread to her face, she was once again prescribed more steroid creams by doctors. "I couldn't relax - I was so uncomfortable in my own skin and there was no comfort anywhere, apart from in a bath, because my skin was so bad," she said. "I was constantly burning, but I was also really, really, cold at the same time. "I'd have ice packs on my arms where it would be burning and then a hot water bottle on my belly to try to keep me warm. My partner couldn't sleep in the same bed as me for months because I had to keep moving and keep putting ice packs in places to stop the burning. "After a few months of the steroids, things started to calm down - I wasn't as inflamed, but you could still see these almost red sleeves that cut off at the wrist. I started to get some patches around my lips; I went to the doctor and they advised me to put some steroid cream around my lips, so I did as I was told, thinking this will be the end of it. "After doing the course of steroids that I was prescribed, I stopped," she said. "Within three to four weeks, my face started to erupt. "It started with a burning sensation, then it started to get all these little bubbles over it. They developed into this big red mass. "I looked like my face had been in a fire, like I was burned. I couldn't move my lips. Eating actually became very difficult. "I remember, I used to eat an apple a day - but I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to eat an apple. I went back to the doctors with my face like this, to find out what was going on. The doctor told me he was quite puzzled. "Again, they gave me stronger steroids and told me to put them over my face. It reduced it and it slowly went away. Then, in December 2024, my wrists started to erupt again and that red sleeve started to come back. "Driving home from work, sometimes I'd be crying. With TSW, your skin flakes and I would drive home just unbearably scratching. "My car was covered in skin flakes - everywhere was covered in skin flakes. I would vacuum my bed every single day - I would vacuum every time I took my clothes off, because my skin would just fly everywhere. "It was about two months where I couldn't write - I couldn't use a pen. I've never been so sick in my life - I've never had skin issues in my entire life." Feeling like her life had been hijacked by relentless research into skin conditions, Francesca neared her breaking point. In January this year, she stumbled upon an organisation raising awareness of Topical Steroid Withdrawal, a condition emerging after stopping high doses of steroids that can result in itchy, peeling skin. Despite reportedly touching 15% of those on steroids, she lamented that risks were never communicated to her and reckons the regular use of steroid creams has exacerbated her symptoms. "All I've been doing for the past year is researching - researching eczema, researching psoriasis, researching all the different types, trying to find information," she explained. "At the end of January, I came across an organisation that campaigns for Topical Steroid Withdrawal. "I remember that day that I found out - everything clicked. The red sleeves, the red face, the peeling, the oozing, the inflammation, the burning - everything finally made sense and I saw photos of people who looked like me. "I cannot believe that for the 18 months that I'd been going to and from the doctors, with all the symptoms of Topical Steroid Withdrawal and not once it was mentioned or queried. No one had mentioned it at all - and my life had become skin. "I couldn't do the things I normally do and I hid away. I had no idea it even existed." After a long struggle, Francesca found Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Therapy, a non-invasive treatment that eases inflammation, destroys harmful bacteria, and aids in repairing the skin barrier. She was diagnosed with TSW following a consultation at a clinic that provides this privately available therapy. In a bid to reclaim her life, Francesca took to the internet to share her ordeal with TSW and initiated a fundraising campaign. "When I heard back from the UK clinic, at first I was overjoyed, but then pretty quickly I had no idea how I was going to afford it," she admitted. She recalled: "I remember I actually emailed them and I said 'I'm really nervous, I don't know if I can fund it; I don't know if I can commit to it. I very much am that glass half full person, but this condition that has taken me into places so dark, I can't believe I've been there. "I've had very dark thoughts, very dark moments, and felt really at the bottom of a pit. You lose your confidence; people look at you differently. "People judge you and all you can do is seek help - but there is no help out there. The mental side was tough, but I just knew I needed to try - and that's why the GoFundMe page was started. I just felt like I was bearing my soul and bearing what happens behind closed doors - I was very nervous." Fortunately, within days, Francesca had received numerous messages of support and has undergone three sessions of CAP treatments. She says she has already noticed improvements and has even been able to afford essentials like new bandages to protect her irritated skin between sessions, which has been a "huge relief." The outpouring of support has given her the courage to share her story so others with TSW don't have to feel isolated. "I just cannot believe how generous people have been and are being for me - I am lost for words," she expressed. "I have to bandage myself every night and then during the day if I'm going somewhere that there could be a possible irritant. "These little things have made a huge, huge difference to my day-to-day life. I'm eternally grateful for that, and still very blown away. "In the hell that I've been living, this has just been such a light for me. Prior to putting it out there, I was at my lowest I've ever been. People know now what's going on and there's no more hiding."
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Woman who had 'small rash' now 'looks like she's burnt' after reaction
Woman who had 'small rash' now 'looks like she's burnt' after reaction Francesca Tebbutt said she had been through 'hell' Francesca Tebbutt said her GP believed she was suffering from a psoriasis or eczema breakout and prescribed her topical steroid creams (Image: Francesca Tebbutt/SWNS ) A woman who had a small rash now looks 'like a burns victim' - after she suffered an extreme reaction to a common cream. Francesca Tebbutt, 33, said her skin was ''constantly on fire'' because of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). She first noticed itchy, red, marks on her arm in 2023 - and sought medical advice when they didn't seem to go away. Her GP believed she was suffering from psoriasis or eczema and prescribed her topical steroid creams, to be applied for a couple of weeks at a time. The breakout disappeared quickly - but returned and spread, only for her to be prescribed stronger steroid creams. Francesca decided to stop the medication and see what happened, but her skin began to burn, itch, and flake even more. For 18 months, the Pilates instructor from Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire, desperately sought information on her condition. Her skin now suffers burning, flaking, weeping and swelling without warning. At her worst, even moving her arms, putting on clothes, or stepping into the shower becomes unbearable. Each time the steroids would clear the rash, but come back multiplied and more aggressive. She said: "It all began in March 2023, when I got a few little round, red dots on the inside of my left elbow. They were a little bit itchy, a little bit irritated - so when they didn't go away, I went to the doctors in May 2023 and that's when the doctor said it looked like it's psoriasis or eczema. Article continues below "He prescribed me steroids straight away for it. I remember actually asking him, 'how did this happen, and how can I stop it happening?' "He said there's nothing I could do and this was the cure. I used the topical steroids, and it did go - but then maybe a month later, it came back and it spread. "I went back and I was prescribed stronger steroids and this went on for the rest of 2023, on and off. Every time I used them, it would go, but then it would come back worse, and it would keep spreading. I was trapped in this vicious cycle: steroid cream, temporary relief, then a flare worse than before.'' Francesca Tebbutt first noticed itchy red marks on her arm in 2023 (Image: Francesca Tebbutt/SWNS ) In January 2024, after a year of using topical steroid creams and following her prescription instructions, she decided to stop - but her skin began to itch and swell. After a trip to A&E, Francesca was told by doctors that they were unsure what was causing the condition - but prescribed more steroids. "When it got to January in 2024, I knew the steroids were a band aid," she said. "So I thought, 'I'm going to stop using them'. "By the end of the month, my whole arm and hands were covered in an itchy rash. It was quite scary, because I didn't really know what was going on, and then I started swelling as well. "It was difficult, because it was in winter, and because of my arms, I couldn't wear any clothing on them, so I was always in t-shirts. I just remember being so cold all the time because I couldn't physically put any clothing on my arms. "My wrist swelled and my elbow swelled and I couldn't actually fully straighten my arms or bend my wrists. I didn't know what was going on and me and my partner decided it was best to go to A&E, and off we went. "We saw the doctor and he said, 'I don't know what this is. I don't know if it's eczema. I don't know if it's psoriasis'. It was actually quite refreshing hearing someone say, 'I don't know' and that they'll seek advice somewhere else. "I got a call from him the day after and he said that the dermatologist suspects that it is a form of eczema. They prescribed me more steroids that were stronger than what I'd had before. When I put these steroids on my skin, the burning and stinging of just applying them was unbearable." Francesca Tebbutt said withdrawal symptoms controlled her life and put her 'through hell' (Image: Francesca Tebbutt/SWNS ) This flare-up lasted months before fading, but again, when stopping the use of steroid creams, it returned with a vengeance. Francesca said the constant pain was "unbearable" and after the patches spread to her face, she was once again prescribed more steroid creams by doctors. "I couldn't relax - I was so uncomfortable in my own skin and there was no comfort anywhere, apart from in a bath, because my skin was so bad," she said. "I was constantly burning, but I was also really, really, cold at the same time. "I'd have ice packs on my arms where it would be burning and then a hot water bottle on my belly to try to keep me warm. My partner couldn't sleep in the same bed as me for months because I had to keep moving and keep putting ice packs in places to stop the burning. "After a few months of the steroids, things started to calm down - I wasn't as inflamed, but you could still see these almost red sleeves that cut off at the wrist. I started to get some patches around my lips; I went to the doctor and they advised me to put some steroid cream around my lips, so I did as I was told, thinking this will be the end of it." After stopping a course of steroid cream in late 2024, her condition worsened again - with the skin on her face tightening and causing pain when she tried to eat, talk, or drink. "After doing the course of steroids that I was prescribed, I stopped," she said. "Within three to four weeks, my face started to erupt. "It started with a burning sensation, then it started to get all these little bubbles over it. They developed into this big red mass. "I looked like my face had been in a fire, like I was burned. I couldn't move my lips. Eating actually became very difficult. "I remember, I used to eat an apple a day - but I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to eat an apple. I went back to the doctors with my face like this, to find out what was going on. The doctor told me he was quite puzzled. "Again, they gave me stronger steroids and told me to put them over my face. It reduced it and it slowly went away. Then, in December 2024, my wrists started to erupt again and that red sleeve started to come back. "Driving home from work, sometimes I'd be crying. With TSW, your skin flakes and I would drive home just unbearably scratching. "My car was covered in skin flakes - everywhere was covered in skin flakes. I would vacuum my bed every single day - I would vacuum every time I took my clothes off, because my skin would just fly everywhere. "It was about two months where I couldn't write - I couldn't use a pen. I've never been so sick in my life - I've never had skin issues in my entire life." Francesca's hand (Image: Francesca Tebbutt/SWNS ) Feeling like her life had been taken over by research into skin conditions, Francesca felt like she was at breaking point. In January this year, her research led her to an organisation spreading awareness of Topical Steroid Withdrawal - a condition that can occur after stopping high doses of steroids and results in itchy, peeling, skin. Despite being estimated to affect 15% of steroid users, she said she was never warned about the risks and believes the regular use of steroid creams has worsened her condition. "All I've been doing for the past year is researching -researching eczema, researching psoriasis, researching all the different types, trying to find information," she said. "At the end of January, I came across an organisation that campaigns for Topical Steroid Withdrawal. "I remember that day that I found out - everything clicked. The red sleeves, the red face, the peeling, the oozing, the inflammation, the burning - everything finally made sense and I saw photos of people who looked like me. "I cannot believe that for the 18 months that I'd been going to and from the doctors, with all the symptoms of Topical Steroid Withdrawal and not once it was mentioned or queried. No one had mentioned it at all - and my life had become skin. "I couldn't do the things I normally do and I hid away. I had no idea it even existed." Francesca discovered Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Therapy - a non-invasive therapy that reduces inflammation, kills harmful bacteria and helps restore the skin barrier. She received a diagnosis of TSW after a consultation with a clinic offering the treatment - which is only available privately. Desperate to return to normalcy, Francesca posted a video online, describing her experience with TSW - and launched a fundraiser to help get her life back. "When I heard back from the UK clinic, at first I was overjoyed, but then pretty quickly I had no idea how I was going to afford it," she said. "I remember I actually emailed them and I said 'I'm really nervous, I don't know if I can fund it; I don't know if I can commit to it. I very much am that glass half full person, but this condition that has taken me into places so dark, I can't believe I've been there. "I've had very dark thoughts, very dark moments, and felt really at the bottom of a pit. You lose your confidence; people look at you differently. "People judge you and all you can do is seek help - but there is no help out there. The mental side was tough, but I just knew I needed to try - and that's why the GoFundMe page was started. I just felt like I was bearing my soul and bearing what happens behind closed doors - I was very nervous." Thankfully, within days, Francesca had received outpourings of support - and has been able to undergo the first three sessions of CAP treatments, after which she says she has already noticed improvements. The fundraiser has not only allowed her to pay for treatments, but to afford things like new bandages to protect her irritated skin in between sessions, which she says has been a "huge relief." The support has been overwhelming - and she has become determined to share her own story, to avoid anyone else feeling alone while suffering from TSW. "I just cannot believe how generous people have been and are being for me - I am lost for words," she said. "I have to bandage myself every night and then during the day if I'm going somewhere that there could be a possible irritant. "These little things have made a huge, huge difference to my day-to-day life. I'm eternally grateful for that, and still very blown away Article continues below "In the hell that I've been living, this has just been such a light for me. Prior to putting it out there, I was at my lowest I've ever been. People know now what's going on and there's no more hiding."
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Scary condition that 'traps you in your own half-alive corpse'
Kelly Barta was turning red. It was 2012, and the 38-year-old mother of two had just quit the topical steroids she'd used for nearly 30 years to treat her eczema. Within days, she was crimson from head to toe, tormented by searing pain and a 'bone-deep' itch. 'It literally felt like someone poured boiling water over my whole body,' Barta told The Post. The burning wouldn't let up for five years — and in that time, she lost her career, her marriage and nearly her life. 13 Kelly Barta is the executive director of the Coalition of Skin Diseases. Courtesy Kelly Berta Barta was battling topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) syndrome, a debilitating condition some face after quitting high-potency creams to treat skin issues like eczema. Common symptoms include intense burning, redness, itching and skin shedding. Many sufferers are bedridden or housebound for months — or even years — before the effects begin to subside, according to the International Topical Steroid Awareness Network (ITSAN), which advocates for awareness and supports those affected. From childhood rash to decades on steroids Roughly 10% of the US population — about 31.6 million people — live with some form of eczema, the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition in the country, according to the National Eczema Association. Barta was first diagnosed as a child, when patches of itchy, red and irritated skin bloomed behind her knees and in the crooks of her arms. She managed it with moisturizers and hydrocortisone cream until she became a preteen, when the onset of puberty and the hormonal fluctuations that come with it caused her eczema to grow worse, spreading to her hands and her neck. 13 Eczema is a common skin condition that causes a skin rash, dry skin and itchiness. ÐлÑга ТеÑнавÑÐ°Ð°Ñ – 'There's a lot of bullying around skin conditions because it's associated with infectious diseases, so being in middle school, all I wanted was to look better, even more than feel better,' Barta said. When she went to a dermatologist and they prescribed her topical corticosteroids, the effects were almost instant. 'Within a couple of days, the rash cleared up and I felt a lot better too,' Barta said. 'I ended up managing my skin like that for 26 years.' Thin skin, big trouble Topical corticosteroids are some of the most common treatments for eczema, with one multinational study finding that 91% of people affected by the condition had used them. Though generally considered safe and effective when used for short periods, the body can build up a tolerance to topical steroids over time, requiring stronger doses to clear the skin. 13 Topical steroid creams are applied directly to the affected area of the skin. Photo Sesaon – When Barta's eczema would flare, doctors kept upping her prescription until she was on one of the strongest formulas on the market. She spent 10 years on the heavy-duty cream — and developed new allergies along the way, including to fish and latex. 'I know steroids can thin the skin, and my idea was maybe these things in the environment are getting into my bloodstream and I'm becoming hyperreactive,' Barta said. 'I was getting to the point where I would put my hand in my purse and come out with hives,' she added. 'You're imprisoned in this body with unrelenting pain. I remember thinking, 'Don't try to get to tomorrow — just survive the next hour.'' Kelly Barta Barta said her general practitioner dismissed her concerns, insisting she'd have to use topical steroids for the rest of her life to keep her eczema at bay. But a pharmacy tech at Costco flagged the dose. 'She didn't say anything other than 'be careful you're not overusing this,'' Barta said. 'But what does overusing mean?' The label warned against using the cream longer than two weeks unless directed by a doctor — which hers always did. 'That's a big caveat,' she said. 'Most doctors feel like this is perfectly safe to use forever.' 13 Researchers are studying whether weaning patients off of topical steroids could lower their risk of withdrawal symptoms. Courtesy Kelly Berta And Barta wasn't alone. The same multinational study found adult eczema patients used topical steroids for an average of 15.3 years. Three-quarters applied it one to two times a day, and half used it between 15 and 30 days each month. Shaken, Barta began researching. She discovered that while corticosteroids are intended to reduce inflammation, they can sometimes provoke a hypersensitivity response, triggering or worsening allergic reactions, according to ITSAN. 'If you have people on steroids for decades… we might look better, but what's happening internally?' she wondered. Burning alive Barta found a Canadian study suggesting barrier creams could cut topical steroid use. So she started weaning off, switching to jojoba oil and mango butter. Three months later, Barta quit steroids entirely. Within 36 hours, her skin went haywire. 'I started to burn so badly that I couldn't sleep,' she said. 'I was up on the couch all night, breathing like I was in childbirth.' 13 Topical steroid withdrawal is also known as red skin syndrome. Courtesy Kelly Berta A frantic Google search led her to a TSW support site — and a checklist of withdrawal symptoms. 'I checked all the boxes,' Barta said. At first, red splotches appeared where she'd applied the cream most and then began to spread. Eventually, her entire body burned and itched relentlessly. 'I was bedridden for a year and a half,' Barta said. During that period, she lost her hair, developed a cataract, gave up her music career, and could barely care for her two young sons. 'You think you're getting help, and then you end up 100 times worse off than you were before.' Kelly Barta She spent her days cycling between bed and bath, lying naked on towels as every movement tore open her cracked, oozing skin. Insomnia hit next, followed by sharp, stabbing nerve sensations and thermal dysregulation that left her shivering under a feather duvet in 90-degree Georgia heat. 'You're imprisoned in this body with unrelenting pain,' Barta said. 'I remember thinking, 'Don't try to get to tomorrow — just survive the next hour.'' 13 Patients with topical steroid withdrawal are vulnerable to life threatening infections. Courtesy Kelly Berta She lost 40 pounds. Doctors ran tests — and came up empty. One was caught Googling during her appointment. 'No one really knows what's going on,' Barta said, adding that many TSW patients get dismissed by doctors who mistake their symptoms for severe eczema and just prescribe more topical steroids. Family members also urged her to go back on the medication, but she refused. 'On a gut level, you know that thing has been slowly poisoning you,' she said. 'Why would you go back?' Barta was housebound for three years, losing her husband of 21 years along the way. With her skin barrier weakened, she caught a deadly eczema herpeticum infection and nearly died in the hospital. 13 Barta's skin has improved, but she still has some problems areas, like her hands and neck. Slowly, she grew stronger and the pain eased as her body began to heal. Still, it took more than 1,780 days for the burning to finally subside — and 13 years later, she's still recovering. 'How did this happen to me?' Barta, now 51 and president of ITSAN, recalled wondering. 'You think you're getting help, and then you end up 100 times worse off than you were before.' But you don't need decades on topical steroids to develop TSW. False promises Jada Jones was also diagnosed with eczema as a small child. She had mostly outgrown it by middle school, except for a few patches on her neck. When a dermatologist prescribed a mid-strength topical steroid, her skin cleared up fast. 'I was no longer struggling with eczema at all, or so I thought,' she said. 'In reality, your skin is just medication, so you can't really tell what's going on.' 13 Jada Jones went viral while documenting her experience with topical steroid withdrawal syndrome online. jadajonesss/Instagram Jones used topical steroids on and off until her junior year of high school, when stress triggered a bad flare-up. After discovering TSW online, she told her dermatologist she wanted off the medication. 'My dermatologist said, 'You're young. You're never going to have to go through that,' and then I got boosted to class one steroids — the strongest ones,' she remembered. 'After being reassured that I wouldn't have to go through this condition, it was just sort of like, 'OK, fine, I'll listen to my doctor.' 'They're looking at you like you're damn near a burn victim.' Jada Jones Jones's skin stayed clear for three years with occasional topical steroid use. She moved from Charlotte to LA, pursuing acting and content creation, and met her partner, Chris. Then, in June 2022, her skin took a terrifying turn. '[It] sort of looked like spots that turned into bigger, purplish, reddish bruising,' Jones said. 'It looked really, really odd, it didn't look like eczema.' After searching online, she discovered the potent topical steroids she'd been using might be playing a role. 13 Topical steroid withdrawal syndrome affects the whole body, not just eczema-prone areas. Courtesy Jada Jones Booked for a three-day wedding shoot, she made it through day one — but her skin felt like it was on fire. She stayed home the next morning. 'I was bedridden from that day on for the next three or four months,' Jones said. 'It was so crazy to realize that, oh my gosh, I think this is the one thing they said couldn't happen to me.' 'My body was forever changed from that moment forward,' she added. Six years after her first steroid prescription, she vowed never to use them again. What ensued was pure torture, both mentally and physically. A nightmare no one could fix Soon, her whole body was red, inflamed and in excruciating pain. She could no longer work and needed full-time care. 'It became sort of this nightmare, because we didn't know what to do,' Jones said. She tried traditional Chinese medicine and other comfort measures with no relief. Aside from loved ones, the online TSW community was her lifeline. 'With TSW, the most unfortunate part is that once it starts happening, it just has to take its course, unless you go back on topical steroids, which would just prolong the situation even more,' Jones said. 13 Adult women are more commonly affected by topical steroid withdrawal syndrome than men. Courtesy Jada Jones Like Barta, she suffered deep, relentless itch, nerve sensations, thermoregulation issues and cracked, oozing skin. At her annual checkup, doctors were baffled. 'They're looking at you like you're damn near a burn victim,' Jones said. 'You have really no idea how to advocate for yourself, but you're clearly sick and need help.' Her battle with TSW forced Jones and her partner to leave California and return home to North Carolina. For a year, symptoms settled then flared in cycles. 'No one will ever truly grasp the horrifying, never-ending ordeal that is enduring a condition that traps you in your own half-alive corpse with no escape.' Jada Jones In late 2023, she heard a fellow sufferer found relief in Tulum's healing saltwater. 'I wasn't in too bad of a state at the time, but I was also risking my body going backwards,' Jones said. She and her partner went to Mexico, where her skin improved then regressed. She, too, got a major infection that left her bedridden a month. 'At that point, I was really, really confused. I didn't know what to do,' Jones said. 'I did not want to live anymore because it was just too much, especially after seeing that my body was getting better at one point.' Doctors said topical steroids were the only option. Instead, she took to the sea. 13 There is no standard, agreed upon treatment for topical steroid withdrawal syndrome. Courtesy Jada Jones 'I started forcing myself into the ocean, something that could have been so dangerous, but it ended up working out for me,' she said. After 4.5 months in Tulum, she returned to Charlotte, her skin better but not fully healed. Still fighting, but living again She then traveled to Thailand for Cold Atmospheric Plasma Therapy (CAP), which has been shown to reduce inflammation, fight infection and accelerate recovery for those with TSW. 'This clinic doesn't have a website or anything, so it sounds like rinky dink, scary and weird, but when you're at this dire point in your life, you're willing to do anything,' Jones said. 'It's beyond skin deep — it affects every aspect of your professional life, your social life, your personal life,' she added. Jones spent nine months in Thailand. 'It was really, really intense, but it helped regenerate my skin and sped up the healing process a bit,' she said. 13 Cold Atmospheric Plasma treatment is being used as a potential therapy for topical steroid withdrawal syndrome. Courtesy Jada Jones Terrified to return to the US and lose access to CAP, she was relieved to find a fellow sufferer in Asheville owned the machine she could use. Jones hasn't had CAP therapy since January, now managing her skin with red light and infrared therapy daily. 'My skin right now is like very mild eczema symptoms that I would rather tolerate for the rest of my life than to ever go through that again,' Jones said. 'No one will ever truly grasp the horrifying, never-ending ordeal that is enduring a condition that traps you in your own half-alive corpse with no escape from an itchy, burning and red, hellfire of a body,' she added. Now 23, Jones's energy has finally rebounded and she's living a fuller life. 13 Jones continues to battle symptoms of topical steroid withdrawal symptoms, though they've improved over the last year. Courtesy Jada Jones 'It's like you realize that it was never worth it to be on those meds in the first place, but who could have told you any better?' she asked. Life beyond steroids While TSW is a well-documented phenomenon, research into its causes, effects and treatment is still limited. Without consistent diagnostic criteria, doctors often mistake TSW for a severe eczema rebound, according to ITSAN. While topical steroids can be safe when used right, companies like Phoilex offer alternatives to help people manage their skin. Their Active ReLeaf Spot Gel is a plant-based option for managing eczema and psoriasis. In trials, 93% of users felt relief from itching for 4 to 12 hours, and 74% saw fewer flare-ups. 'It's a great alternative for someone who's going through eczema,' Jones said. 'I've had friends who've tried it and they love it for maintaining their skin.'
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'My skin is on fire and I look like I've been burned because of a common cream'
33-year-old Francesca Tebbutt has endured two years of hell after a common cream left her unable to put clothes on or go in the shower as her skin was trapped in a "vicious cycle" A woman has been going through two years of hell after she noticed small red marks on her arm, initially thinking it was minor irritation. Francesca Tebbutt has spent more than two years of her life living with a relentless, little-known condition which has stolen more than just her health, but her independence, career and who she is. The 33-year-old was diagnosed with Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) meaning Francesca endures a severe reaction to steroid creams prescribed to treat her rash. This has led to her skin burning, flaking, weeping and swelling with no warning. At her worst, even just moving her warms, putting clothes on or stepping in the show became unbearable. "Water feels like battery acid on my skin," Francesca said. "I have to take salt baths just to be able to tolerate it. This is my new normal." During winter, she couldn't even wear a coat due to the slightest touch of fabric on her skin set it ablaze. "I couldn't even sit still without pain. That's when I knew something wasn't right," she continued. Rewind to March 2023. Francesca, from Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire, noticed three small round red marks on the inside of her left arm by her elbow, which were mildly irritating. Having never experienced a skin condition and blessed with clear skin throughout her childhood, she was left puzzled, Wales Online reports. "Looking back, it was nothing compared to the pain I feel now," Francesca shared regretfully. "Honestly I wish I could turn back time, especially now knowing what I know." By May, when the marks hadn't disappeared, she decided to bite the bullet and visit her doctor. Upon inspection, Francesca was told that it was likely psoriasis or eczema and given topical steroid cream; a very common prescription. Francesca said that initial, the treatment had worked, but within weeks the rash returned—worse and spreading. Stronger steroids were prescribed, but the pattern repeated itself. Each time the steroids would clear the rash, but come back multiplied and more aggressive. "I was trapped in this vicious cycle: steroid cream, temporary relief, then a flare worse than before," Francesca explains. By January 2024, after months of steroid use, Francesca decided to stop the medication and see what happened. The response was immediate and devastating. Within that same month, Francesca said that her arms were swollen beyond recognition. She couldn't exercise her wrists and was in agonising pain. She described the inflammation as extremely intense—burning, oozing, and unrelenting. She recalled: "One day, I got home from work and I was shaking from the pain. I told my partner that I didn't know what to do, so I went into the bath to try and calm it. I couldn't get any relief. That evening, the pain completely "erupted", forcing Francesca to A&E. Nine hours later, a doctor admitted: "I don't know what this is." For Francesca, the honesty was extremely refreshing, especially after hearing multiple doctors simply write off her condition as a common skin infection. Instead, the doctor took photos and sent them to a dermatologist for further evaluation. Days later, Francesca was informed that the dermatologist also believed that she was suffering from a form of eczema and was consequently prescribed more steroids. Trusting her diagnosis, Francesca diligently applied the cream, which only served to worsen her pain. "It burned like fire," she recounted. "I had to fan myself for the burning to ease. That went on for two weeks. The swelling lessened but the rash spread constantly." Sleep became a stranger. She was constantly hot, uncomfortable, unable to use her hands properly. Simple tasks—washing, cooking—became insurmountable. "Every time I go to bed I have to bandage up like a mummy. I can't lie completely under the duvet. It got to the point where I couldn't remember what comfort felt like." To make matters worst, a few months later, the symptoms had spread to her face. At first, small blisters appeared around her mouth, then that extended to her eyelids. Eating became painful, her face burned constantly, and ice packs became a permanent fixture. "Even my nephews and nieces were scared of me - they looked at me like I was something out of a horror movie." Again, she was prescribed steroids for her face. "Knowing what I do now, I can't believe I actually put it on my face... it's mad." Her life unravelled. An avid rock climber and wellness professional, Francesca found herself unable to move without excruciating pain. By January 2025, the suffering continued unabated. "I couldn't wear clothes touching affected areas because it would burn. I struggled to work because the pain would become too much; taking breaks after every two patients just to rest and manage the symptoms. I stopped going into shops because people stared. I became a shell of myself." That relentless pain, isolation, and unpredictability of her condition also took a severe toll on her mental health. "I'm generally positive, but six months of this broke me. I stopped making plans because I never knew what my skin would be like that day. "It became impossible to stuff without help. Honestly, it really tested my relationship. My partner, works full time but he essentially takes care of me now. Even in the middle of night, just to help me get out of bed and change my icepacks or bandages. "It's difficult because my friends and family see just a skin condition. They don't see what happens behind closed doors." Every day, Francesca's skin sheds constantly, leaving flakes everywhere. The burning and stinging sensation never stops. It's like her skin is on fire—she experiences uncontrollable itching attacks, oozing skin, and open sores vulnerable to infection. "There's just no break from it," she said. Over months of feeling this way, Francesca continued to research - desperate to find out what was happening to her. The turning point came when she discovered ITSAN, the International Topical Steroids Awareness Network. Reading the medical symptoms and watching the educational videos was a revelation; the information mirrored her symptoms perfectly. TSW occurs when the skin becomes dependent on steroids, and withdrawal causes severe, painful inflammation, itching, and skin damage. Despite being estimated to affect 15% of steroid users, it remains largely unknown among doctors. The relief of finally having a name for her condition—and a community of people going through the same ordeal—was immense. She shared: "Seeing others who looked like me helped my mental health more than anything." Looking back, Francesca realises her initial symptoms were likely a fungal infection—not eczema or psoriasis—and she never should have been prescribed steroids in the first place. "When I first went to the doctor, I also had bad dandruff, which would've hinted towards a fungal infection but this wasn't even considered," she claimed. "Had I been properly diagnosed, I would have been over it within four weeks. It's heartbreaking to think about." However, now fully aware of her condition, Francesca has discovered a promising treatment that could give her "life back". Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Therapy is a non-invasive therapy that reduces inflammation, kills harmful bacteria, stimulates skin repair, and helps restore the skin barrier—a potential lifeline for TSW patients. The catch? The medical-grade CAP therapy is only available in three places worldwide: Singapore, Bangkok, and the UK. "I immediately called the UK branch in Winchester but was informed that there was no immediate availability," she said. "They were able to put me on a waitlist, but there was no indication of when they would be free." In her desperation, Francesca contacted the clinic in Bangkok, which confirmed her diagnosis. "They asked me to send over my medical history, to see the potency of the steroids and the length of time I had been using them. "From that, they estimated that my recovery without CAP could take up to two years. With the treatment, my skin would return to normal within six months. "Hearing that it could be two years before I was myself again — that was a real kick in the teeth. It made me even more determined to get this treatment." The caveat of it all was that Francesca would have to relocate to Bangkok for four to six months; which as a self-employed health professional, was impossible. "There are thousands of people like me who have had to go and live in these countries for this treatment. I tried to reason staying a month, but they said that by the time I settled to the change of climate, it would be pointless." Thankfully, in the weeks between, a spot has opened up in the UK. Francesca is about to start six months of weekly sessions, each costing £180–£270. She shared that the financial burden has pushed her to set up a GoFundMe, which has so far raised over £2,000—something Francesca can barely believe. The link can be found here. "It has meant the absolute world to me. I was so nervous when I first set up this page, to show people these pictures of me. I didn't know what to expect. "But it has been unbelievable to see the amount of support. It is emotional for me to think about these people—many of whom I've never even met—wanting to help me get my life back." To add to the cost, Francesca has to take into account travel and accommodation. The clinic is four hours away, too far and risky for public transport due to infection. She'll need overnight stays and a companion to drive and support her, as fatigue from treatments will force her to cut back work drastically. "It's hard to ask for help, and I feel embarrassed. But I've reached the point where I have to try. I can't do this alone—though it often feels like I have been, during this ordeal." Her income has dropped sharply, and every day feels like scaling a mountain she never expected to climb. Yet, despite the exhaustion and pain, Francesca's spirit refuses to break. She's determined to turn her suffering into strength — to not only fight for herself but to shine a light on this misunderstood condition. "TSW stole two years of my life. I want people to know about it so no one else has to suffer in silence or feel as lost and alone as I did." Her dream is simple, yet profound: to wake up not thinking about her skin, to fall asleep without wrapping herself in bandages, to wear clothes that she wants to wear — to look in the mirror and recognise herself. "It brings tears to my eyes to even think about it. I want to live without the constant fear of flare-ups, without the isolation and the pain that takes over everything." Francesca knows the road ahead will be tough. But with the treatment, the support of strangers turned friends, and her own fierce resilience, she holds onto the hope that one day soon, this chapter will end, and a new one will begin.
