Have you or someone you know experienced a painful skin flare after stopping steroid creams?
If so, you may have encountered Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)—a condition that’s becoming increasingly recognised around the world.
In this article, we’ll explore what causes TSW, why it happens, and how Chinese medicine in Sydney may offer a natural and supportive approach to recovery.
What Is TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal)?
TSW—also known as Red Skin Syndrome or Steroid Addiction—is a reaction that can occur when topical corticosteroids are used regularly and then suddenly stopped.
Unlike typical eczema, TSW symptoms are often more intense, unpredictable, and emotionally distressing, including:
Red, burning, or peeling skin Oozing or swelling Cyclical flares Sensitivity to temperature, clothing, and skincare Sleep disturbance and anxiety
What Causes TSW?
1. Long-Term Use of Corticosteroids
When topical steroids are used over a long period (especially medium-to-high potency), the skin becomes dependent on them.
They suppress inflammation temporarily, but with continued use, the natural immune and skin barrier functions weaken.
2. Abrupt Withdrawal
When steroids are suddenly stopped, the suppressed immune system rebounds—leading to excessive inflammation, redness, and itching.
This can feel more intense than the original condition.
3. Barrier Damage
Steroid overuse can thin the skin, reduce collagen, and damage the skin’s microbiome.
This makes the skin more prone to flare-ups and unable to self-regulate.
4. Nervous System Overactivation
TSW isn’t just physical.
Many sufferers describe sensations of burning, tingling, and crawling due to nervous system hypersensitivity, which may be linked to the long-term suppression of stress and immune responses.
You can read more about TSW on this website here ( link the website url to the word ‘here’ – https://www.itsan.org/what-is-tsw-syndrome/) that aims to raise further awareness on the severity of this issue which is currently not being recognised enough in the medical community.
A Natural Approach:
Topical Steroid Withdrawal Chinese Medicine Sydney
Chinese medicine views TSW not just as a skin issue—but as a whole-body imbalance.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), symptoms like redness, oozing, and burning reflect excess heat, toxin accumulation, or deficiency in the organs responsible for detoxification, such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys.
How Chinese Medicine Can Help:
Clears heat and toxins through herbal medicine Supports the gut–skin axis and detoxification pathways Regulates immune and nervous system response Promotes restful sleep, digestion, and emotional balance Helps reduce flare-ups naturally over time
Patients receiving Topical Steroid Withdrawal Chinese Medicine treatments in Sydney often find they experience less intense flares, better sleep, and steadier recovery.
Final Thoughts
While the cause of TSW is rooted in long-term steroid use and immune suppression, the journey of recovery requires more than simply stopping steroids—it needs deep, supportive, and personalised care.
If you are looking for gentle, natural, and personalised support in Sydney, Chinese medicine offers a gentle and holistic way to support your skin and body—without harsh chemicals or suppressive methods.
You deserve healing that goes beyond the surface.
We’re here to walk that journey with you.
Healing takes time—but it is absolutely possible.
Disclaimer – Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary from patient to patient based upon the circumstances of the patient’s specific situation. A result is not promised and/or guaranteed from the act of receiving a treatment.
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