SIFD
SIFD or “Steroid induced facial dermatosis” is a condition which is caused by indiscriminate application of topical steroids on the face. Most of the patients apply topical steroids on their own or sometimes on suggestion of their pharmacist, family members, relatives, and friends and sometimes by a non-dermatologist physician.
What are the symptoms of SIFD?Symptoms of SIFD include:
No cosmetics suit the skin of these patients. The texture and colour of the affected skin might become totally different from the rest of the skin. Patients feel better on steroid application. Many patients have already realized that the steroid cream is responsible for many of their problems but they are unable to leave it as their skin has become addicted to the steroid and gets very irritated, if they stop its use.
Yes, this condition can be treated but it is a long process and the patient needs to have patience. When we stop using the steroids, the condition usually worsens for some time. The skin may become dry, red, itchy and sensitive. Sometimes, there may be acne formation and hyperpigmentation, too.
That is why, in many patients we don’t straight away stop steroids. Instead, we taper it down by reducing the frequency of application and reducing the strength of steroids. The patient is also prescribed intense moisturising creams, non drying face wash, sun protection creams for sensitive skin, anti-allergic tablets and vitamins so that the skin can cope up with stress.
Once the sensitive phase seems to be over, we can gradually add medicines for treating acneiform lesions and pigmentation.
Continuous use of steroids can cause atrophy of skin, thinning of skin and premature ageing. When the skin is stable, we can do some treatments to induce new collagen and improve the strength and resilience of the skin and undo the harmful effects of steroids on the skin.
Even when sensitivity is under control for a long time, these patients may experience flare of their condition at intervals of few months or years.
Our doctors, Dr. Shail Gupta and Dr. Ruchi Agarwal, have treated many patients with S.I.F.D. successfully.
Dr. Ruchi says, “Steroid use is like an addiction, the sooner you get rid of it, the better”.
The harmful effects have already been listed and discussed in detail. So, we recommend that you should definitely opt for this treatment if you have been using steroids.
I got my repair hair transplant done by Dr.Shail Gupta.As i was very much frustrated with my previous transplant results,and my donor area was also very bad.But when i met Dr. Gupta he gave me many options that could still be done in my case besides having a depleted donor area.His honesty and faith made me take my decision very fast and i went ahead with my repair surgery.It is been 5 months now,the results are too good,at least it looks so natural now unlike before.I really thank god that i met Dr. Shail and i just hope that i will regain all my natural hair back,once again in style.
