How to help yourself heal from TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal)

Going through TSW can be an extremely frightening, painful, and isolating experience. Unfortunately, there is a large community of people also living with the debilitating condition of TSW, or Red Skin Syndrome. Connecting with this community can be invaluable; offering support, shared experiences, and the reassurance that you are not alone.

Although you cannot directly control TSW itself (a complex recovery process your skin undergoes after long-term steroid use) you can work on addressing the underlying drivers of your eczema or fungal infections that led to topical steroid use in the first place. Supporting your body in this way is beneficial, as it is managing both TSW and the original triggers of your skin condition. By alleviating these root causes, you can reduce overall inflammation, ease additional flare triggers, and allow your body to focus more fully on healing from TSW, potentially supporting a quicker recovery.

Other helpful strategies include reducing overall stress, prioritising good-quality sleep, aiming for daily bowel movements, staying hydrated, moving your body regularly, and following a low-inflammatory diet. You may also wish to explore complementary therapies such as NMT (No Moisture Treatment), CAP therapy (Cold Atmospheric Plasma), acupuncture, or dry skin brushing.