Experts expressed serious concern over the unchecked use of these potent drugs, warning that India is facing an epidemic of misuse that is causing irreversible damage.
Published Nov 09, 2025 | 9:08 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 09, 2025 | 9:08 PM
Doctors expressed concern over the unregulated sale of steroid-based creams, often disguised as fairness or beauty products.
Synopsis: At Dakshin Health Summit, leading dermatology experts from across the country warned that India is facing an epidemic of steroid misuse in skin treatments, with rampant over-the-counter sales and cosmetic abuse fuelling serious and lasting health damage. They urged stronger regulation, patient awareness, and tighter controls to curb misuse, cautioning that the rise of a new fungal strain, Trichophyton indotineae, could reverse decades of medical progress.
As part of its year-long campaign on public health and awareness, South First brought together leading dermatologists from India and abroad at the Dakshin Health Summit 2025: Bridging Knowledge and Care in Dermatology, held at AIG Hospitals, Gachibowli, on Sunday.
The second edition of the summit, which focuses on critical issues in clinical practice and patient safety, turned its attention this year to one of the most alarming trends in skincare: the misuse of steroids.
At a panel discussion titled “Steroid Misuse in Dermatology”, experts expressed serious concern over the unchecked use of these potent drugs, warning that India is facing an epidemic of misuse that is causing irreversible damage and leading to the rise of new drug-resistant fungal infections.
Moderating the discussion, Dr Rajetha Damisetty, Organising Chairperson of the summit, drew a sharp analogy.
“Steroids are very important and valuable. But what is causing harm is their misuse. They are like a knife – you can save a life with surgery or kill someone with it,” she said.
The panel included dermatologists Dr Sudha Rani, Dr P Usha, Dr Sudip Parajuli (joining virtually from Kathmandu), Dr P Navaneetha Reddy, Dr Md Saiful Islam Bhuiyan (joining from Dhaka, Bangladesh), Dr Amarender Pandey, and Dr Rakesh Kumar.
The experts discussed the Indian and global consequences of steroid abuse, emerging patterns of misuse, and the rise of steroid-linked fungal infections (tinea), which, they said, had brought “shame and ignominy” to the country’s dermatology community.
“Steroid use has become an epidemic,” said Dr Sudha Rani, noting that nearly 80 percent of dermatological cases now involve steroid-modified conditions. “Steroid combinations are being used for quick relief from any rash. This has led to steroid-modified tinea and relapsing fungal infections. Easy availability and repeated use of old prescriptions are the biggest culprits,” she said.
Dr Usha elaborated on the clinical fallout. “We see redness, atrophy, stretch marks, ring-on-ring appearances of tinea, and steroid-induced acne. Topical abuse can even lead to systemic effects like glaucoma and hormonal disturbances,” she warned.
From Kathmandu, Dr Sudip Parajuli said prolonged steroid misuse was leaving patients with permanent scars – literally and figuratively.
“Atrophy, stretch marks, and reddish patches caused by potent steroids like clobetasol are very difficult to treat,” he said. “The problem has spread beyond dermatology.”
Doctors expressed concern over the unregulated sale of steroid-based creams, often disguised as fairness or beauty products. “Many come in fancy boxes, labelled in Korean, Japanese, or Chinese, and sell for just ₹20,” said Dr Sudip Parajuli. “They’re marketed as beauty creams but are essentially potent steroid formulations.”
Dr P Navaneetha Reddy added that creams are the most misused form of steroids, followed by injectables in hospitals and unlabelled products sold over the counter.
Dr Rajetha Damisetty flagged the growing sale of imported “Dubai creams” in Hyderabad. “It’s scary for doctors, and I don’t know why patients aren’t equally alarmed,” she remarked.
Calling the situation “deplorable,” Dr Amarender Pandey said the lack of enforcement had allowed Schedule H drugs to be sold freely.
“Combination creams are marketed as miracle products. Some Ayurvedic preparations secretly contain steroids. We’re playing with the lives of both educated and uneducated people,” he cautioned.
Stressing the need for patient education, Dr P Usha said she had started using consent forms before modifying or discontinuing steroid therapy. “A girl once developed withdrawal lesions after my advice, and her father came and yelled at me as she was developing steroid withdrawal complications. Now, I insist on written consent,” she said.
From Nepal, Dr Sudip Parajuli noted that India’s unregulated market was fuelling misuse in neighbouring countries. “Because the price is low here, these creams are easily available in Nepal. India is pushing these drugs into neighbouring markets,” he said.
Concluding the discussion, Dr Rajetha Damisetty warned that steroid abuse had contributed to the emergence of a new fungal strain—Trichophyton indotineae—first identified in India and now spreading across Asia and to the United States.
“It’s shameful that a new organism evolved here because of steroid misuse. Atlanta has already issued a warning about it. If we continue like this, we’ll go back to the pre-penicillin era – conquering infections only to succumb to them again,” she said.
