Eczema is a chronic skin condition. TSW is a withdrawal reaction from steroids commonly used to treat eczema, not the condition itself — though the two often overlap. TSW symptoms are more severe, widespread, and resistant to treatment.

How much time do you have?

Common Physical Symptoms of TSW:

• Burning skin (often described as “on fire”)

• Inflamed skin (red sleeve or full-body redness)

• Excessive Skin peeling / shedding / flaking

• Oozing / crusting skin

• Extreme dryness (elephant skin / cracked skin texture)

• Raw, open wounds

• Swelling (edema)

• Thin, fragile skin (skin tears easily)

• Rashes spreading to areas where steroids weren’t applied

• Excessive itching (intense and constant)

• Nerve pain (burning, zapping, tingling sensations)

• Sensitivity to heat / sweat / friction

• Temperature dysregulation (feeling too hot or cold suddenly)

• Hair loss (eyebrows, scalp, body hair)

• Eye irritation (red, swollen, dry eyes)

• Fatigue / exhaustion / feeling physically weak

• Insomnia / sleep disturbances

• Loss of appetite / weight fluctuations

• Body odor changes (metallic or sour smell from skin)

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Shivering / chills (ven when not cold)

Common Mental & Emotional Symptoms of TSW:

• Anxiety (especially health-related anxiety)

• Depression / hopelessness

• Body dysmorphia / grief over appearance changes

• Isolation / withdrawal from social life

• Panic attacks / PTSD-like symptoms

• Emotional overwhelm / anger / mood swings

• Loss of confidence / fear of being seen

If you think this list is exhaustive, imagine how we feel…

There’s no clear timeline. Some people experience symptoms for a few months, while others may suffer for several years. Recovery time often depends on factors like how long steroids were used, the strength of the medication, how often it was applied, and individual body chemistry.

There’s no official cure or universally recognized treatment. Healing usually requires time, rest, skin barrier support, and symptom management. Some people find relief through holistic or barrier-focused care, while others focus on minimizing triggers and supporting mental health during the process.

Corticosteroids have been used for decades and are still considered the standard treatment for eczema and many other inflammatory skin conditions because they can provide fast, effective relief from symptoms like redness, itching, and inflammation. Most medical training still teaches that these medications are safe when used as directed.

However, many doctors are not fully educated on the risks of long-term or repeated steroid use, especially the potential for TSW. Some may not recognize TSW as a real condition, and others may not be aware of how easily dependency can develop over time — especially with strong or frequent use. This gap in awareness is why many people feel dismissed or misunderstood when they bring up their symptoms.

More research, education, and patient advocacy are needed to help the medical community better understand TSW and offer safer, more supportive treatment options.

Many people recognize TSW through patterns of symptoms like burning, peeling, inflammation, swelling, oozing, nerve pain, intense itching, and skin sensitivity. While these symptoms often appear after stopping steroid medications, some people develop TSW symptoms even while still using them.

There is no formal medical test for TSW. Diagnosis is usually based on your history of steroid use (topical, oral, or injectable) and the timing and nature of your symptoms.

If you suspect you’re in TSW, try to stay calm — the first step is recognizing that this might be what’s happening to you. From there, you can take steps to educate yourself, find support, and make informed decisions about your health moving forward.