Steroid creams – corticosteroids – affect bone health

Higher doses of topical corticosteroids, which are commonly used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, are linked with increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures associated with osteoporosis.
Analysis of data from over 800,000 people showed a clear dose-response relationship between long-term use of topical corticosteroids and osteoporosis. The longer the steroid creams were used for, the greater the likelihood of osteoporosis or fracture.
Writing in a leading academic journal, the lead author of the study says the work “emphasizes that using topical corticosteroids to treat inflammatory skin conditions should be done very carefully and clinicians should be aware of these potential side effects.”

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