Our skin deserves a new narrative — let’s begin.

  • LME was created by an artist living through topical steroid withdrawal. What started as a way to cope has grown into a space for creativity, connection, and meaningful advocacy.

  • Learn the basics of Topical Steroid Withdrawal, how it happens, and why awareness matters.

    Download healing-focused artwork created to represent and empower those living with TSW, eczema and visible skin conditions.

    Meet our ambassadors who share their stories and help shape the future of TSW advocacy.

    Discover how the Healing Fund offers financial support to those deeply impacted by TSW.

  • Shop quality products designed to spread awareness, spark conversation, and remind you that you’re not alone in your healing journey. A portion of proceeds from Awareness Apparel supports our Healing Fund.

Wait… what’s steroid withdrawal?

Imagine your skin getting worse because of your medication.

Topical Steroid Withdrawal* (TSW) can happen to some people** when they become dependent on steroids, a commonly prescribed treatment for eczema and other skin conditions. Before long, these medications stop working, and when you try to stop, your skin reacts — severely.

*TSW is known by many names — including Red Skin Syndrome (RSS) and Steroid Addiction — and can be triggered not just by steroid creams, but also by oral steroids and injections.

** Not everyone who uses topical steroids will develop this condition.

  • You might experience redness, intense burning, stinging, flaking, oozing, and an all-consuming itch that feels violently different from anything you've had before.

  • You might realize the steroids you’ve relied on just aren’t working the same anymore. The flares have spread and nothing seems to help.

  • You might go to the doctor, hoping for answers — only to be told it’s “just worsening eczema” and handed a stronger steroid.

  • You might begin to notice other symptoms too — insomnia, extreme fatigue, sudden chills or hot flashes, swollen lymph nodes, irregular periods and nerve pain.

  • You might randomly lose your eyebrows.

  • You might cover your mirrors because you don't recognize the reflection staring back at you.

  • You might be faced with impossible task of letting go of things you love, things you’ve worked for, and parts of yourself you thought you’d always have.

  • You might feel pain in ways that are hard to explain.

  • You might become bed-bound, unable to care for yourself, relying on loved ones to get through basic daily life.

  • You might begin to think you'll never heal....

  • ...but you will. This isn’t the end of your story and you don't have to do it alone.

  • There’s no map for this — but there are footprints to follow.

  • ⬇ Scroll Down ⬇

Let’s start by introducing you to people who get it.

A young woman showing TSW eczema, red, inflamed skin on her face and neck, standing in a shower with white tiled walls.

Meet Lea

Ambassador Spotlight

“Navigating the ups and downs of TSW can feel exhausting and overwhelming at times. Each day brings its own challenges—some days may show signs of improvement, only to be followed by a tougher day. But remember this: every single day off steroids is a step closer to healing. Progress may feel slow, but it is happening.”

@leatswjourney

Woman shopping at a grocery store, wearing a black shirt that briefly explains topical steroid withdrawal. Shirt reads stop the medical gaslighting.

Awareness

Apparel

Designed to spark conversations about TSW

A collection of 100% cotton t-shirts and accessories created with you in mind. Featuring soft, breathable fabric, removable tags (because our necks are itchy enough), and simple truths designed to empower warriors and raise awareness about the dangers of steroids.

Lea wearing TSW Is Not Eczema Long Sleeve Shirt

$25

A person wearing a hat that advocates for topical steroid withdrawal.

Best Seller

Best Seller

Chloe wearing Personally Victimized Distressed Dad Hat

$25

Black mug with white text defining "TSW Warrior" and listing humorous and serious definitions, placed on a white desk alongside a plant, a keyboard, and stacked books.

Best Seller

Best Seller

TSW Warrior Definition Mug

$14

✓ Sensitive Skin Approved Fabrics

✓ Global Shipping

✓ Buy Now, Pay Later with Klarna and Afterpay

✓ Sensitive Skin Approved Fabrics ✓ Global Shipping ✓ Buy Now, Pay Later with Klarna and Afterpay

The TSW Healing Fund

A portion of every Awareness Apparel purchase goes directly into our Healing Fund — a small but meaningful financial gift we offer to someone currently battling Topical Steroid Withdrawal. It’s about helping someone survive today — whether that means covering therapy, medical treatments, a safe place to rest, or just catching their breath.

  • The Healing Fund is a small, donation-supported resource created to offer financial relief to individuals currently experiencing TSW. This fund is a no-strings-attached gift, meant to provide practical support during one of the hardest times in life.

  • This fund is specifically for anyone actively living through the symptoms and challenges of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). It is open to people of any gender, any age and from anywhere in the world.

  • Phase 1: Fundraising
    Npw through the end of 2025, we’re focused on building the fund through Awareness Apparel sales and donations via GoFundMe.

    Phase 2: Applications & Selection
    Once the fundraising goal is reached, we’ll open applications to those actively living through TSW.

    Phase 3: Selection Distribution
    Applications will be reviewed with care by our trusted Ambassadors and fund(s) will be released immediately to selected recipient(s).

  • For those going through TSW, life doesn’t pause — but it often feels like everything falls apart. Many people in the thick of withdrawal face not just the physical agony, but the emotional and financial devastation that comes with it.

    People lose jobs.
    People leave school.
    People walk away from careers, social lives, and dreams — not because they want to, but because their bodies demand all their energy just to get through to the next day.

    For so many, TSW turns life into survival mode. The only priority becomes resting, healing, and enduring. But while skin is trying to recover, bills still come. Rent is due. Food needs to be bought. Medications need to be paid for. It’s exhausting, and the stress of financial insecurity only makes healing harder.

    The Healing Fund exists for this reason: To help our fellow TSW warriors specifically the ones going through this alone in a real and tangible way.

    In the community, we often say, “We’re in this together.”

    This fund is a reflection of that — a real, actionable way to show that our community supports one another through the hardest moments of this journey.

Digital illustration of a woman with dark curly hair wearing a white sports bra and matching underwear, with her right hand on her hip and face turned slightly away.

Every skin story deserves to be seen, supported, & celebrated— especially the sensitive ones.

These illustrations are here to challenge how flares, and healing are portrayed. They celebrate real skin in all its texture and strength.

Download them — whether you're a small business looking for thoughtful artwork for social media, or someone who wants to make a personal poster for your wall, mirror, or fridge. If you’re feeling generous, tip!

Don’t see what you need? Let’s create something special. Get in Touch.

  • Mother Earth

  • Digital illustration of a woman wearing a black bra and matching underwear, with her hands touching her shoulders against a transparent background.

    When Body is Fire and Also On Fire

  • Digital illustration of a woman with fair skin in a black tank top, touching her chest with her left hand, showing the upper part of her torso and part of her neck against a pink checkered background.

    Arm Flare Study

  • A hand holding a pink, heart-patterned balloon with a small dark stain on it, against a pink checkered background.

    Quick, Let's Confuse The Boys

  • Digital illustration of a woman with black hair in a black sports bra and black underwear, reaching out with one hand, standing against a pink checkered background.

    Shake It Out

  • A digital illustration depicting a person holding their knee with visible redness and irritation on the skin.

    Leg Flare Study

  • A woman with brown skin wearing pink heart-patterned shorts making a heart shape with her hands over her lower stomach, against a pink checkered background.

    Self Love

  • A woman with long dark hair wearing a white robe, taking a selfie with her phone, revealing red and irritated skin on her face, neck, and shoulder.

    Bathroom Selfie

lil miss itchy af

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lil miss flakey

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lil miss oozy

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lil miss can't touch water

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lil miss writhing in a ball of pain

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lil miss FOMO

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lil miss never touching steroids AGAIN

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lil miss itchy af ~ lil miss flakey ~ lil miss oozy ~ lil miss can't touch water ~ lil miss writhing in a ball of pain ~ lil miss FOMO ~ lil miss never touching steroids AGAIN ~