TOPICAL STEROIDS ABUSE AND IT'S HIGH PREVALENCE WITH TEANIA INFECTIONS IN COVID-19 CRISIS TIME -A CLNICO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Topical corticosteroids are today among the most commonly prescribed medications indermatology clinics. Due to easy availability of steroid creams as over-the-counter drugs Steroid abuse has become a common problem .This study was conducted to see the magnitude of this problem of it and the clinical profile of these patients in our population in one part of south India. Material And Methods: All patients with a history of topical use of steroids on different skin problems mainly teania infected areas for a period greater than few months were enrolled in this study after taking an informed consent. A detailed history about the type of steroid used, duration of application, source of prescription of the drug (doctor/chemist/self/acquaintances) and indications were recorded. A detailed clinical examination of these patients was carried out and results were recorded. Results: This study was conducted over a period of 1 year and 380 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. There were247 males and 133 female patients. The range of age of these patients varied from 5 years to 60 years.Teania cruris was the most common indication for steroid use.Severity of problem was got neglected mainly because of covid crisis time situation and other misguidance by ignorance,friends and Chemists.Chemists were the most common source of prescribing steroids.COVID economic crisis may be an another leading factor of using the easy avilable medicine at counter for mild to moderate severity of skin problems especially fungal tinea corporis/cruris. Atrophic changes of the skin were the most common adverse effects seen. Conclusion:Topical steroids are very commonly abused drugs.This problem is more common in youngsters,especially males.Over the counter availability of these drugs in our part of world is a major cause of their abuse