An eczema sufferer who has taken steroids to help her skin condition for the last 40 years has told how she has been left looking 20 years older after kicking the habit.
Ruth Holroyd, 46, from Buckinghamshire, has suffered with eczema for most of her life, and recalled times where at worst, she would tear at her skin, leaving trails of dry skin around her.
Despite being given the steroids by her dermatologist when she was a child, she more recently became worried about the long-term side effects, and decided to go cold turkey – under their supervision.
Only, she went on to suffer ‘topical steroid withdrawal’ – when the skin reacts adversely after discontinuing steroids after prolonged use – and her skin was left red, sore, burnt and exuding clear liquid, and as a result, she had to leave her job and limit social activity.
Ruth who was initially advised not to come off them – stopped using steroids, and while she has noticed that the trauma to her skin has left it looking aged, she has learned to love herself and tries to remain positive.
Ruth says people often ask her ‘what’s wrong with your face?’ but she tries to remain positive. We wish her a quick recovery.