Dermatologists are not the only ones allowed to prescribe topical steroids. Other persons whom prescribe these drugs are general practitioners, our family doctor. However, they are not specialized in this area. We already know some dermatologists push past the guidelines, but GPs are even less educated on steroids and all of their adverse effects if overprescribed or prescribed incorrectly.
In the FDA Evaluation and Research paper, they point out how our GPs can be truly hurting us. “… family physicians frequently prescribed betamethasone dipropionate and clotrimazole to children younger than 5 years of age and for use on genital skin disorders.”
Not only should this super potent steroid be prescribed with utmost caution to adults, but then add an anti-fungal (clotrimazole) into the mix, and you’ve got mega trouble. NEVER mix antifungals with topical steroids, and never use a steroid on a fungal infection. It is also stated in topical steroid inserts to never use these topical steroids on the genitals since it is extremely sensitive and most likely under occlusion (diaper).
This paper also talks heavily about research they constructed from 202 cases. The median age was 7 years old, a mix of both genders, and drum roll…. A median of topical steroid use for 169.3 days. That comes out to a little over 5.5 months of consecutive use. The shortest time was 1 day, and the longest was 7 years. This is why people have steroid phobia from this type of disregard for topical steroid guidelines.
If doctors wish to have the trust of their patient, then patients need to see that doctors can be trusted. We are the ones who have to endure the consequences. We are the ones who will have to suffer. There has to be open and honest communication on a level playing field. So many lives can be saved from needless pain if topical steroids were not only used strictly by a guideline (NOT by someone’s discretion), but also to know that the guideline set is correct and appropriate.
Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ 