Topical corticosteroid withdrawal: an evolving challenge for primary care in the management of atopic eczema

Nada Khalil; Jessica Laxaman; Khawar Hussain

doi:10.3399/BJGP.2026.0092

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Topical corticosteroid withdrawal
Miriam Santer and Ingrid Muller

Published on: 08 September 2026

Published on: (8 September 2026)
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Topical corticosteroid withdrawal
Miriam Santer, GP and Professor of Primary Care Research, University of Southampton
Other Contributors:
Ingrid Muller, Health Psychologist and Professor of Behavioural Medicine
We welcome Khalil and colleagues' thoughtful editorial on topical corticosteroid withdrawal (TSW) and balanced information for clinicians on this sensitive topic.¹

The authors highlight the importance of signposting patients to reliable, evidence-based information on eczema and we would like to give further emphasis to this point, given that preventing TSW from developing may be less difficult than managing after it has arisen. Robust evidence-based resources may help "inoculate" against inaccurate online information before beliefs become entrenched.

EczemaCareOnline.org.uk, a website developed with patients, parents, and healthcare professionals, is recommended by NICE and is the only resource that has been shown in randomised controlled trials to improve eczema outcomes.² While developing this resource, people with eczema told us of their frustration with being told that “topical steroids are safe when used correctly” while simultaneously receiving insufficient or inconsistent advice about what “correct use” means.

Signposting people to reliable information resources is particularly crucial in eczema, where online misinformation is widespread, and the potential for harm is substantial.

References

1. Khalil N, Laxaman J, Hussain K. Topical corticosteroid withdrawal: an evolving challenge for primary care in the management of atopic eczema. Br J Gen Prac...
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We welcome Khalil and colleagues' thoughtful editorial on topical corticosteroid withdrawal (TSW) and balanced information for clinicians on this sensitive topic.¹

The authors highlight the importance of signposting patients to reliable, evidence-based information on eczema and we would like to give further emphasis to this point, given that preventing TSW from developing may be less difficult than managing after it has arisen. Robust evidence-based resources may help "inoculate" against inaccurate online information before beliefs become entrenched.

EczemaCareOnline.org.uk, a website developed with patients, parents, and healthcare professionals, is recommended by NICE and is the only resource that has been shown in randomised controlled trials to improve eczema outcomes.² While developing this resource, people with eczema told us of their frustration with being told that “topical steroids are safe when used correctly” while simultaneously receiving insufficient or inconsistent advice about what “correct use” means.

Signposting people to reliable information resources is particularly crucial in eczema, where online misinformation is widespread, and the potential for harm is substantial.

References

1. Khalil N, Laxaman J, Hussain K. Topical corticosteroid withdrawal: an evolving challenge for primary care in the management of atopic eczema. Br J Gen Pract 2026;76(769):342–3.
2. Santer M, Muller I, Becque T et al. Eczema Care Online behavioural interventions to support self-care for children and young people: two independent, pragmatic, randomised controlled trials. BMJ 2022;379.
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Competing Interests: None declared.