Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Review the prescribing and sale of topical corticosteroids
Closed
2,106 signatures
What the petition asks
We ask the government to review prescribing protocols and over-the-counter availability of topical corticosteroids. We believe that topical corticosteroids have been over-prescribed and irresponsibly prescribed for decades – leading to what is known as ‘Topical Steroid Addiction’.
This can cause the iatrogenic illness known as ‘Red Skin Syndrome’ – often misdiagnosed as ‘worsening eczema’.
The recovery process - ‘Topical Steroid Withdrawal’ is brutal, highly debilitating, and often lasts for years. Healthcare professionals need to fully understand the potential serious side-effects of these medications before prescribing them to patients, to prevent unnecessary, preventable suffering.
The recovery process - ‘Topical Steroid Withdrawal’ is brutal, highly debilitating, and often lasts for years. Healthcare professionals need to fully understand the potential serious side-effects of these medications before prescribing them to patients, to prevent unnecessary, preventable suffering.
Timeline
| 8 Jan 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 8 Jul 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
2,106
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
8 Jan 2025
Closed
8 Jul 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 27 Jul 2026.