Twenty years ago, I was standing exactly where so many parents find themselves today - holding a tiny baby in my arms, trying to soothe his raw, red eczema-covered skin. The hydrocortisone cream worked, but every time I applied it, a little voice in my head whispered, “Is this really the best I can do for him?” Something about suppressing his immune system didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t have all the answers then, but I had a growing sense that there had to be another way.
That instinct eventually led me to homeopathy - and down a path of gentle, natural healing that changed everything. But before we get to that, let’s talk about something many parents now face: topical steroid withdrawal, or TSW.
What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal?
Topical steroid withdrawal happens when someone stops using hydrocortisone creams - often after long-term or repeated use - and the skin begins to flare up in a way that can be even more intense than the original eczema. It’s not just a return of the symptoms; it’s often something more: burning, redness, oozing, intense itching, and sometimes a spreading of the affected areas.
TSW can feel frightening. It’s a difficult process physically and emotionally, and it’s not widely acknowledged or understood in mainstream medicine yet - which can leave parents feeling even more isolated.
Why some Parents Choose to Stop Using Steroid Creams
For many families, the decision to step away from steroids comes from a place of deep concern. While these creams can offer short-term relief, they often feel like they’re just keeping symptoms at bay rather than truly resolving the issue. Over time, some parents begin to notice that the eczema moves to other body parts when suppressed in the original site. Then stronger creams are needed, or the eczema always comes back once treatment stops.
There’s also the deeper worry about long-term effects - not just on the skin’s integrity, but on the immune system as a whole. Many parents I speak with say they simply don’t feel right about using them anymore, and they want a gentler, more sustainable path.
What to Consider Before You Start the Withdrawal Process
If you're thinking of beginning steroid withdrawal for your child, it’s important to go in prepared. This journey is not always easy. Some children flare intensely, while others move through it more gradually. There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline.
Here are a few things I always encourage parents to keep in mind:
How Homeopathy can Support the Healing Process
Homeopathy offers a completely different approach to skin health. Rather than suppressing symptoms, it works to stimulate the body’s own healing potential. It sees the skin not as a separate organ but as part of a bigger picture - a reflection of the whole person’s state of balance (or imbalance).
In my practice, I’ve seen children go through TSW and come out the other side with clearer skin, stronger immunity, and better overall wellbeing. Remedies are selected individually, based on each child’s unique history and constitution. And while it’s not always instant, the process is gentle - and most importantly, it supports healing from within.
I use constituitional remedies, organ support remedies, remedies to help with the side effects of conventional treatment and homeobotanical tinctures. The prescription is tailored to each child. Alongside this, we explore what might have triggered the eczema in the first place - sometimes it’s inherited tendencies, birth history, diet, or even emotional stress.
You’re Not Alone, And You’re Not Doing it Wrong
Whether you’re still using steroid creams, considering stopping, or already in the middle of withdrawal - I want you to know this: you’re doing your best with the information and tools you have. This isn’t about guilt or judgment.
It’s okay to feel uncertain. It’s okay to change course. And it’s okay to take your time.
If your heart is telling you there’s a better way, I believe you’re right. It might not be the quickest path, but it can be a more peaceful and lasting one. Homeopathy has shown me - again and again - that the body knows how to heal when we give it the chance.
