Steroids, topical or oral corticosteroids (like Prednisone) are often used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, and other chronic lung diseases. For example, inhalers that treat asthma are a corticosteroid that can increase testosterone levels with regular use and thereby trigger acne. Like cortisol, a natural steroid produced by the body during times of intense stress, corticosteroids can stimulate sebum production and lead to blemishes. 

Oral steroid medications can trigger acne quickly, sometimes within days of use. Conversely, topical steroid creams can take a few weeks for a reaction (acne breakout) to occur. Hydrocortisone is a topical cream that is sold over the counter and contains only .5 to 1.0 percent of the steroid. At such a low concentration, it is unlikely that this cream would cause any adverse reactions.
Using oral steroid medications to control a life-threatening illness is one thing. In this case, acne can be an unfortunate side effect. Our program may never completely clear the acne since the medication could not be stopped, but we would look at the full picture and help improve it. How much improvement is unknown.

Examples of corticosteroids:

• Dexamethasone 
• Prednisolone 
• Betamethasone 
• Cortisone 
• Triamcinolone 
• Anabolic steroids- Danocrine (Danazol) and Stanozolol (Stompa) 
• Corticosteroids- Prednisone, Methylprednisolone
• Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort)
• Budesonide (Pulmicort)
• Fluticasone/Salmeterol (Advair)

Screening for drugs and medications that the client is taking is part of the initial intake process and the consultation. Be sure to make a note of any of the above-used medications. While it is not common to see this, it does happen occasionally.

Ask the client why they are on it, and note this in their Clear Connection Notes.