Scars from topical steroid, possibly?

April 21, 2015 8:40 AM

I have some scars on the inside of my thighs from a few years ago. I think it's due to the overuse of clobetasol. Has anyone else experienced this?

A few years back, during a stressful period, I came down with a skin condition (eventually diagnosed as prurigo nodularis). I had a number of itchy nodules all over and all I had for medication was Clobetasol (topical steroid), as this condition's causes are unknown and treatment is symptomatic. Anyhow, after a year or so, the condition slowly died out on its own, but I noticed I had new stretchmarks on the inside of my thighs.

I'm fairly sure this was due to the overuse of the cream, since some nights it got really bad and I was doing anything possible to stop the itching. I'm curious if anyone else has had the same reaction to Clobetasol, but mostly, are these scars permanent? Is there any possible way to treat them or "grow them back"?

I know I should just see a dermatologist, but I'd like to see if there's even any possibility of healing before spending the money. Thanks!

posted by monologish to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

I've had quite noticeable stretch marks appear in a couple of places when I've used topical steroids. A doctor mentioned to me that they can be caused by steroid overuse (I don't overuse them, so I think I must just be unusually prone to that side-effect). In my case the marks generally go away completely within a month or so. No permanent scarring at all in my case.

I think you can treat them to some degree early on (when the marks are still purplish) with moisturisers. But after a longer period of time the only options are likely to be laser treatment or cosmetic surgery.
posted by pipeski at 8:56 AM on April 21, 2015

I have the exact same thing - the doc didn't warn me that liberal use of the Olux could cause stretchmarks. Sorry, 11 years later, mine haven't diminished at all.
posted by Pax at 10:50 AM on April 21, 2015

Steroids can thin the skin and make it more vulnerable to structural damage. The stretch mark scarring you see is the result of skin structures breaking down/tearing. Once this happens, it's irreversible. The stretch marks will fade over time and become less visible, but they're permanent.
posted by quince at 11:10 AM on April 21, 2015 [1 favorite]