Corticophobia Or Fear Of Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, taken correctly, with an adjusted dose and in a limited time, do not have to have side effects, although many fear them. We explain in this article what corticophobia is about.

Corticophobia is the name given to being afraid of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are drugs that help regulate the response of our immune system and reduce inflammatory processes.

The most commonly used corticosteroids are prednisone, cortisone, and hydrocortisone. The truth is that, currently, they are used to treat many diseases. For example, in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or asthma.

They are also used in autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks our own tissues. One of these pathologies is lupus. Similarly, they are necessary in the treatment of adrenal gland insufficiency.

The truth is that, although they have become a fundamental pillar of current medicine, they are not without side effects.  In this article we explain why this fear of corticosteroids arises and what to do about it.

Why is there a fear of corticosteroids?

As we have already mentioned, corticosteroids are widely used in current medicine. They are drugs that mimic the effect of hormones that are produced in our adrenal glands in a physiological way.

Corticosteroids can be taken orally, through the skin, by injection, or even with intranasal sprays. The form of administration is chosen according to the pathology to be treated. In addition, each of them has a number of side effects.

Because, precisely, the fear of corticosteroids is based on the number of side effects they have. To this day, a negative view of these drugs has been spreading. However, this perspective makes it difficult to correctly assess the benefit they produce against the possible risks.

In order to understand this fear of corticosteroids, it is necessary to know their most frequent unwanted effects. However, it is also necessary to understand that, most of the time, if they are prescribed, it is because their use will significantly improve the pathology suffered. Some of the effects are :

• Weight gain, generally due to the fluid retention they produce.
• Humor changes.
• Increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Increased blood glucose concentration. This must be taken into account in diabetics.
• Increased risk of certain infections.
• Skin disorders.

However, it is important to know that not all people who take corticosteroids experience these effects. It all depends on the dose, the time taken and the route of administration used. Most of the aforementioned effects appear only when taken orally.

Atopic dermatitis and fear of corticosteroids

The fear of corticosteroids is gaining strength with respect to certain pathologies. For example, today many parents refuse to use them to treat atopic dermatitis in their children.

Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that mostly affects children. Causes ongoing redness and itchiness. To treat it, creams that contain corticosteroids are usually used. It is complicated that, if the treatment recommendations are followed, a problem arises.

Still, parents are increasingly reluctant to use them. There is a tendency to think that the side effects produced by corticosteroids when taken orally are the same as when using ointments.

This fear of corticosteroids is also fueled by a lack of trust in physicians. We must bear in mind that, if used properly and according to their prescriptions, they do not have to produce harmful effects. At least in the case of atopic dermatitis they are not frequent.

In conclusion

Fear of corticosteroids arises mainly from ignorance and mistrust. However, we must bear in mind that doctors value both the benefits and the risks when prescribing a drug.

Therefore, we cannot let negative connotations invade us. While it is true that corticosteroids – especially when taken orally and for a long time – can have side effects, this is not the case in all cases.