Potential Side Effects of Corticosteroids

With all their promise, topical, oral, and systemic GCSs have drawbacks. The literature reflects more than 50 years of studies noting a variety of adverse reactions to corticosteroids - ranging from mild to life-threatening and life-altering. The research has looked at side effects related to the dose and potency of the medications. Some side effects also are related to the drug’s method of administration - whether it is given orally or applied to the skin; length of therapy; patient’s age; and site of topical application.

GCS therapy’s side effects have been shown to include:

Cataracts, or a clouding of the eyes, is a known side effect of high GCS dosages and long-term topical therapy applied around the eyes.

Glaucoma, an eye disease, can result when GCS treatment is applied topically around the eyes or administered systemically, especially when patients are already at high risk for glaucoma.

Gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea and vomiting, can occur with oral GCS therapy. Patients can minimize these effects by taking their medication with food. Peptic ulcers also have been shown to occur in patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications along with corticosteroids, as well as those with past histories of peptic ulcer disease, smoking, or alcohol use.

Growth retardation is a side effect that occurs especially with long-term, systemic (oral or injected) administration of GCS before age two or at puberty. Experts say that children usually resume growing once GCS therapy is discontinued.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is most common in patients with preexisting hypertension who are on long-term, therapeutic doses of corticosteroids.

Osteoporosis, a loss of bone density or bone thinning, can occur especially in women who take daily long-term prednisone therapy.

Skin effects, including stretch marks and spider veins, occur not only with systemic GCS, but also with long-term use of potent topical agents. Sometimes, acne appears on the trunks of patients going through puberty, who also are on corticosteroids. Acne around the mouth has also been shown to occur with corticosteroid use when potent forms of the therapy are applied to the face.

Tachyphylaxis, or a decreasing response to corticosteroids, can occur with long-term use of the medications. This can be detected with careful monitoring of medication use.

Weight gain may occur because of increased appetite and fluid retention, which can begin after one month of taking larger doses of corticosteroids.

Infection; skin rashes and irritation; skin thinning; and formation of dilated blood vessels are other side effects that are often associated with the use of topical corticosteroids.

Source: EczemaNet

Eczema

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the epidermis. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes which are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed lesions, although scarring is rare. In contrast to psoriasis, eczema is often likely to be found on the flexor aspect of joints.

Types of common eczemas

Atopic eczema (aka infantile e., flexural e., atopic dermatitis) is believed to have a hereditary component, and often runs in families whose members also have hay fever and asthma. Itchy rash is particularly noticeable on head and scalp, neck, inside of elbows, behind knees, and buttocks. Experts are urging doctors to be more vigilant in weeding out cases that are, in actuality, irritant contact dermatitis. It is very common in developed countries, and rising.

Contact dermatitis is of two types: allergic (resulting from a delayed reaction to some allergen, such as poison ivy or nickel), and irritant (resulting from direct reaction to a solvent, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, for example). Some substances act both as allergen and irritant (wet cement, for example). Other substances cause a problem after sunlight exposure, bringing on phototoxic dermatitis. About three quarters of cases of contact eczema are of the irritant type, which is the most common occupational skin disease. Contact eczema is curable provided the offending substance can be avoided, and its traces removed from one’s environment.

Xerotic eczema (aka asteatotic e., e. craquele or craquelatum, winter itch, pruritus hiemalis) is dry skin that becomes so serious it turns into eczema. It worsens in dry winter weather, and limbs and trunk are most often affected. The itchy, tender skin resembles a dry, cracked, river bed. This disorder is very common among the older population. Ichthyosis is a related disorder.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis or Seborrheic dermatitis ("cradle cap" in infants) is a condition sometimes classified as a form of eczema which is closely related to dandruff. It causes dry or greasy peeling of the scalp, eyebrows, and face, and sometimes trunk. The condition is harmless except in severe cases of cradle cap. In newborns it causes a thick, yellow crusty scalp rash called cradle cap which seems related to lack of biotin, and is often curable.

Less common eczemas

Dyshidrosis (aka dyshidrotic e., pompholyx, vesicular palmoplantar dermatitis, housewife’s eczema) only occurs on palms, soles, and sides of fingers and toes. Tiny opaque bumps called vesicles, thickening, and cracks are accompanied by itching which gets worse at night. A common type of hand eczema, it worsens in warm weather.

Discoid eczema (aka nummular e., exudative e., microbial e.) is characterized by round spots of oozing or dry rash, with clear boundaries, often on lower legs. It is usually worse in winter. Cause is unknown, and the condition tends to come and go.

Venous eczema (aka gravitational e., stasis dermatitis, varicose e.) occurs in people with impaired circulation, varicose veins and edema, and is particularly common in the ankle area of people over 50. There is redness, scaling, darkening of the skin and itching. The disorder predisposes to leg ulcers.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (aka Duhring’s Disease) causes intensely itchy and typically symmetrical rash on arms, thighs, knees, and back. It is directly related to celiac disease and can often be put into remission with appropriate diet.

Neurodermatitis (aka lichen simplex chronicus, localized scratch dermatitis) is an itchy area of thickened, pigmented eczema patch that results from habitual rubbing and scratching. Usually there is only one spot. Often curable through behavior modification and anti-inflammatory medication. Prurigo nodularis is a related disorder showing multiple lumps.

Autoeczematization (aka id reaction, autosensitization) is an eczematous reaction to an infection with parasites, fungi, bacteria or viruses. It is completely curable with the clearance of the original infection that caused it. The appearance varies depending on the cause. It always occurs some distance away from the original infection.

There are also eczemas overlaid by viral infections (e. herpeticum, e. vaccinatum), and eczemas resulting from underlying disease (e.g. lymphoma). Eczemas originating from ingestion of medications, foods, and chemicals, have not yet been clearly systematized. Other rare eczematous disorders exist in addition to those listed here.



Source: Wikipedia

All Natural Eczema Control

Our daughter have been suffering with severe Eczema all over their bodies from birth; they are 4 and 5 now. They were prescribed steroids creams and other lotions in an attempt to deal with the Eczema. The steroids worked but we did not want to risk our daughters future health for a quick and easy solution, so we started to look for natural treatments. We tried numerous herbal treatments but nothing seem to work until we were introduced to ViaViente buy my parents who used it to control their high blood pressure and sugar level .

We consumed it for a while and decided to see if it would help our girls Eczema. We decided to do this because of ViaVientes’ anti-inflammatory properties. To our amazement, after using it on their skins for two days their Eczema began to go away. To this day, my girls have never touch any steroid cream or special lotion. It also brought back her natural complexion. All we do is apply a small amount of Via on the infected areas, let it dry, and the Eczema started to go away in as little as two days.

After seeing what Via can do we decided to created this blog to get the word out. We know firsthand the hardship people living with Eczema go through and want to share something that may help others. I know some of you want to know more about ViaViente so I included some more info below. More to come.

Discover VíaVienté

VíaVienté is an antioxidant-rich blend of natural whole fruit purees that is formulated to support your optimum health. Twelve years of scientific development came to fruition in July of 2003 when the first bottle of VíaVienté was made available to the public. Since that time, news of VíaVienté has spread worldwide from one person to another, sharing the life-changing benefits of this product with its natural healing support and energy-enhancing properties!The idea of VíaVienté began in 1991 when company President and Founder Craig Keeland asked, “How can we live younger longer and in a state of youthfulness?” His quest took him deep into the heart of the rainforest, high in the Andes Mountains to the Vilcabamba Valley where 1 in 64 people live to be over 100 years of age (as compared to 1 in 100,000 in the US). Scientists have studied the people living in this remote village for decades. According medical journalist Dr. Morton Walker, “The Vilcabambans are some of the healthiest people on earth.”

MINERALS

Minerals are the key to energy! Dr. Alexander Leaf of Harvard University discovered that 1 in 64 people in Vilcabamba live to be over 100 years old while enjoying excellent health. Dr. Morton Walker later uncovered one of the reasons was the unique mineral profile in their drinking water.Today, VíaVienté delivers these same minerals in just the right combination by including water imported directly from Vilcabamba along with the Vilcabamba Mineral Essence (VME), a super concentrated patented chelated mineral complex that replicates the same minerals in Vilcabamba’s mineral water. VME ensures that every ounce of VíaVienté provides you with the equivalent of the minerals in 1 liter of Vilcabamba mineral water.

ONE PRODUCT IS ALL YOU NEED

In 1991, Craig Keeland asked Dr. Mark Pedersen to lead a team of scientists in formulating the ultimate product for all people and ages. The ensuing 12-year quest ended with the development of VíaVienté, a Whole Food Puree that includes vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in a form that guarantees absorption!

EASY TO USE

VíaVienté is a Natural Whole Food Puree made from whole fruits that delivers concentrated goodness in every serving. VíaVienté is great tasting and convenient, too, with no handful of pills to swallow or food to prepare: Just a delicious, easily absorbed liquid you can take anywhere!.

ANTIOXIDANT POTENCY

VíaVienté is tested on a routine basis by Brunswick Labs, the leading independent antioxidant testing laboratory. ORAC tests prove that VíaVienté is a powerful broad-spectrum antioxidant.

OXIDATIVE STRESS

Oxidative stress is implicated in a wide range of health problems. As a powerful and versatile antioxidant, VíaVienté fights oxidative stress and helps maintain a variety of normal functions.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

VíaVienté is a food made from a whole fruit puree blend with natural goodness in each serving. Drink 1-2 ounces in the morning and, again, in the evening for 12 weeks to achieve your optimum health. Enjoy!And, since VíaVienté is a whole food, it’s the great-tasting addition to a healthy fruit smoothie or even to any existing diet plan! Feel free to mix Vía in with any food that could use a delicious grape or berry flavor addition.