OK to use topical steroid on cancerous skin?
December 22, 2015 1:53 PM Subscribe
I have been treating what I thought was dermatitis with a glucocorticosteroid cream; turns out it is actually a "pre-cancerous lesion", which needs to come off. In the meantime, can I keep treating it with this steroid?
My GP thought it was dermatitis, and gave me the cream. Followed up later with a dermatologist, who says it has to come off.
Between the two diagnosis, the cream was definitely helping to reduce the appearance of this dry red scaly blotch - which is on my face. However, I have since lost my insurance and the use of my doctors, and I won't be able to get this "treated" (burned off) until some time in January.
In the meantime, I have continued to use the cream, as it does seem to lessen the appearance of the dry scaly patch.
HOWEVER, it occurs to me: perhaps you should NOT use a steroid cream on possibly cancerous skin? Am I helping to accelerate cancerous growth by hopping it up on 'roids?
Yes, you are not my doctor, I should consult one, yada yada. However, if somebody happens to know this off the top of their head, I'd like to hear it. Wouldn't mind keeping this red dry patch on my face minimized during my holiday festivities.
My GP thought it was dermatitis, and gave me the cream. Followed up later with a dermatologist, who says it has to come off.
Between the two diagnosis, the cream was definitely helping to reduce the appearance of this dry red scaly blotch - which is on my face. However, I have since lost my insurance and the use of my doctors, and I won't be able to get this "treated" (burned off) until some time in January.
In the meantime, I have continued to use the cream, as it does seem to lessen the appearance of the dry scaly patch.
HOWEVER, it occurs to me: perhaps you should NOT use a steroid cream on possibly cancerous skin? Am I helping to accelerate cancerous growth by hopping it up on 'roids?
Yes, you are not my doctor, I should consult one, yada yada. However, if somebody happens to know this off the top of their head, I'd like to hear it. Wouldn't mind keeping this red dry patch on my face minimized during my holiday festivities.
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I've also needed to use steroid creams for other issues, but was advised not to use it around the keratosis as, while it will reduce local inflammation, it has the potential to also weaken the skin. I've just kept mine well moisturised to minimise the irritation. Good luck.
posted by michswiss at 2:17 PM on December 22, 2015