Topical corticosteroids or steroid creams are widely used to treat common skin irritations and rashes such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. But rub on too much for too long and you could be putting yourself in danger, according to Taiwanese scientists and doctors, who are warning of "elevated risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures associated with osteoporosis." For their study, published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and based on information from the
"This study emphasizes that using topical corticosteroids to treat inflammatory skin conditions should be done very carefully and clinicians should be aware of these potential side effects," said Chia-Yu Chu of National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine. "Susceptible populations" - particularly "women and young people" - should be cautious about long-term use,
New research indicates that higher doses of topical corticosteroids, which are commonly used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, are linked with elevated risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures associated with osteoporosis.