Am I Using This Topical Steroid Cream Too Much to Treat Dermatitis in My Eyebrows?

(female)

Hello Dr. Rassman,
I have a question for you regarding topical steroid creams. I have been diagnosed with mild seb derm. It is only in my eyebrows and no where else. My derm prescribed me Cutivate (fluticasone propinate) and told me to apply it 2 to 3 times a day everyday. She said she wanted to see me back in two weeks for an update. Now I am an avid reader of your blog and have heard you say before you recommend to your own patients they use steroid creams sparingly and at least 12 hours apart.

My question is do you think I am using it too often? I know we are taught to trust our docs judgement but I am worried about side effects particularly since Cutivate is a more potent steroid and it is being used on my face. Previous to this another derm had me on Desonide twice daily for 6 weeks! It led to severe redness and increased inflammation so stopped about 3 weeks in. I was told I might have just had a bad reaction to it.

I feel like derms these days just prescribe steroid creams without a care as to the adverse effects. I would love to hear your thoughts please. I trust your judgement as a doctor much more than both the derms I have seen. Thank you.

Oh and as a side note so far both creams have not helped my condition at all.

Like you, I am always concerned about overdosing steroids. Patients need to follow up closely with their doctors for any adverse effects. A treatment that may work in others may not work for you.

Doctors are there to help their patients, but the healing process is dynamic and things may change. We all have the best of intentions (both patient and the doctor). If things change for the worse before you are able to see your doctor, you need to inform the doctor right away!