Prescribing Patterns in the Treatment of Topical Steroid Damaged Face Patients: A Cross-Sectional, Survey-Based Observational Study among Practicing Dermatologists in an Eastern State of India.

INTRODUCTION: Topical steroid damaged face (TSDF) is a common occurrence in the current scenario, where darker - skinned people believe having lighter-colored skin improves their prospects in all aspects of life. This has led to the abuse of topical corticosteroids with unrealistic expectations driven by ignorance of the adverse effects, particularly in the Indian population. As TSDF is virtually an epidemic in India and there is no treatment protocol for dermatologists, we conducted this study to find out what dermatologists prescribe and, in turn, serve as a foundation to develop guidelines in the future.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty dermatologists from Odisha, India, were selected to complete the questionnaire, containing 18 questions about diagnosis, treatment and necessary referral for ocular complications.

RESULTS: All participants were frequently diagnosing and treating TSDF. A total of 92.5% of the participants preferred initiating systemic therapy with isotretinoin or doxycycline as the drug of choice. Clindamycin and tacrolimus were preferred by 55% and 50% of participants, respectively, as the topical drug of choice. A total of 62.5% of the participants advised physical sunscreens and mild cleansers to be used with water at room temperature to wash their face. To reduce facial erythema, brimonidine was advised by 45% of participants.

CONCLUSION: Standardized guidelines for managing TSDF are the need of the hour.