On May 23, 2023, Kelly Barta arrived at the National Institutes of Health to address her long-standing health issues, having self-diagnosed topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) over a decade prior. As the president of a TSW advocacy group, Barta viewed the NIH’s interest in researching this controversial condition as a significant advancement, given the skepticism surrounding its legitimacy in the medical community. Many healthcare professionals have historically dismissed TSW, leaving patients like Barta feeling marginalized and unheard.
Barta’s journey began in childhood with eczema, treated with increasing doses of topical steroids. A chance remark from a pharmacist about the potency of her long-term steroid use prompted a critical reassessment of her treatment. This pivotal moment underscores the need for comprehensive research into the long-term effects of topical steroids, particularly as federal support for such studies has recently encountered turbulence, raising concerns about the future of TSW research and the broader implications for patient care in dermatology.
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