In the midst of an intense flare, you want the discomfort to stop immediately. You schedule an emergency appointment with your dermatologist, and they prescribe you a steroid cream. Hoping for fast relief, you apply it consistently until the itch dies down.
When visiting the dermatologist for eczema treatment, you’ll probably hear a few recommendations: Moisturize, avoid triggers, and apply a topical steroid. Whether it’s over-the-counter hydrocortisone or prescription-strength creams—if you have flare-prone skin, you’ve probably encountered steroids. While they can help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation, there are valid reasons to want to avoid them, especially as a long-term solution.
If you know steroids aren’t for you, you still have effective alternatives to choose from when searching for eczema treatment.
Need to calm your skin now? The Flare Quiz tells you your Flare Cycle stage in 60 seconds, so you immediately know which patch to reach for.
How Do Steroid Treatments Work, and What Are the Potential Side Effects?
There are multiple types of topical steroids out there, and they can be used for mild to severe eczema depending on the potency. You can find them in various forms, like creams, ointments, and sprays, but they’re all meant to help reduce inflammation and itching.
While they’re effective, you want to make sure you’re using steroids properly—specifically, not overusing them. Applying a steroid for a few weeks to get symptoms under control is generally safe, but then it’s usually recommended to lower the potency or stop use.
“It is more long-term use of steroids that can be problematic because it can thin the skin,” Dr. Amy Paller, dermatologist and chair of the department of dermatology at Northwestern University, told the National Eczema Association.
Along with thinning skin, adverse side effects from topical steroids are spider veins, hypopigmentation, and topical steroid withdrawal.
Steroid Treatment Alternatives for Eczema
Steroids aren’t the only topicals that are prescribed for eczema: Non-steroidal treatments work by controlling symptoms and improving the skin barrier, and they also come in cream and ointment form. A few options include calcineurin inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists.
Treating your eczema by following the Flare Cycle can also be incredibly beneficial, because you’re giving your skin the exact support it needs in the moment and allowing the barrier to naturally rebuild. During Pre-Flare, you can take action before itching starts and symptoms escalate with Signal Patch. If you’re in Active Flare, using a steroid-free hydrocolloid patch like Surge protects your flare and allows it to calm. After visible redness and inflammation settle, your skin moves into Post-Flare, and Reset Patch helps fully restore the barrier and reduces the possibility of future flares.
The Flare Kit provides steroid-free support for each of the three Flare Cycle stages, so you can get immediate relief without worrying about adverse side effects.
Of course, consistently moisturizing, avoiding triggers, simplifying your routine, getting good rest, and prioritizing your mental wellbeing are all also beneficial—but if your skin needs extra targeted support, sans steroids, patches are worth trying.
FAQs
What can I use for eczema instead of steroids? There are plenty of steroid-free ways to treat eczema, like consistently moisturizing, avoiding triggers, following the Flare Cycle and using patches
What can I use for eczema instead of steroids? There are plenty of steroid-free ways to treat eczema, like consistently moisturizing, avoiding triggers, following the Flare Cycle and using patches depending on the stage you're in.
Why do people want to avoid steroid creams for eczema? Steroid creams can thin the skin, and overuse can cause steroid withdrawal. This makes them a temporary treatment to help calm a flare, not a long-term solution.
Are there non-steroidal prescription treatments for eczema? Yes, your dermatologist can also prescribe calcineurin inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, or aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists.
Are hydrocolloid eczema patches steroid-free? Mind The Skin’s patches are all steroid-free, including Surge Patch, which is made with hydrocolloid.