'I had small rash - now I look like I've been burnt after reaction'
A 33-year-old woman said she had been left looking 'like a burns victim' after an extreme reaction to a commonly used cream resulted in her skin being ''constantly on fire'' due to Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).
In 2023, Francesca Tebbutt first noticed itchy, red, marks on her arm and when they persisted, she consulted her GP. The doctor suspected psoriasis or eczema and prescribed topical steroid creams for short-term use.
Initially, the rash vanished swiftly but soon returned, spreading further, leading to prescriptions of even stronger steroids. Eventually, Francesca ceased using the medication, only to experience intensified burning, itching, and flaking of her skin.
For a year-and-a-half the Pilates instructor from Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire, Wales, searched for answers about her condition, which now includes spontaneous episodes of burning, flaking, weeping, and swelling.
At her lowest points, simple actions like moving her arms, dressing, or showering became excruciating. Despite temporary relief from the steroids, the rash would always return, more severe and aggressive each time.
Francesca recounted the onset of her ordeal: "It all began in March 2023, when I got a few little round, red dots on the inside of my left elbow. They were a little bit itchy, a little bit irritated - so when they didn't go away, I went to the doctors in May 2023 and that's when the doctor said it looked like it's psoriasis or eczema.
"He prescribed me steroids straight away for it. I remember actually asking him, 'how did this happen, and how can I stop it happening?'
"He said there's nothing I could do and this was the cure. I used the topical steroids, and it did go - but then maybe a month later, it came back and it spread.
"I went back and I was prescribed stronger steroids and this went on for the rest of 2023, on and off. Every time I used them, it would go, but then it would come back worse, and it would keep spreading. I was trapped in this vicious cycle: steroid cream, temporary relief, then a flare worse than before.''".
"When it got to January in 2024, I knew the steroids were a band aid," she said. "So I thought, 'I'm going to stop using them'.
"By the end of the month, my whole arm and hands were covered in an itchy rash. It was quite scary, because I didn't really know what was going on, and then I started swelling as well.
"It was difficult, because it was in winter, and because of my arms, I couldn't wear any clothing on them, so I was always in t-shirts. I just remember being so cold all the time because I couldn't physically put any clothing on my arms.
"My wrist swelled and my elbow swelled and I couldn't actually fully straighten my arms or bend my wrists. I didn't know what was going on and me and my partner decided it was best to go to AandE, and off we went.
"We saw the doctor and he said, 'I don't know what this is. I don't know if it's eczema. I don't know if it's psoriasis'. It was actually quite refreshing hearing someone say, 'I don't know' and that they'll seek advice somewhere else.
"I got a call from him the day after and he said that the dermatologist suspects that it is a form of eczema. They prescribed me more steroids that were stronger than what I'd had before. When I put these steroids on my skin, the burning and stinging of just applying them was unbearable."
This flare-up lasted months before fading, but again, when stopping the use of steroid creams, it returned with a vengeance. Francesca said the constant pain was "unbearable" and after the patches spread to her face, she was once again prescribed more steroid creams by doctors.
"I couldn't relax - I was so uncomfortable in my own skin and there was no comfort anywhere, apart from in a bath, because my skin was so bad," she said. "I was constantly burning, but I was also really, really, cold at the same time.
"I'd have ice packs on my arms where it would be burning and then a hot water bottle on my belly to try to keep me warm. My partner couldn't sleep in the same bed as me for months because I had to keep moving and keep putting ice packs in places to stop the burning.
"After a few months of the steroids, things started to calm down - I wasn't as inflamed, but you could still see these almost red sleeves that cut off at the wrist. I started to get some patches around my lips; I went to the doctor and they advised me to put some steroid cream around my lips, so I did as I was told, thinking this will be the end of it.
"After doing the course of steroids that I was prescribed, I stopped," she said. "Within three to four weeks, my face started to erupt.
"It started with a burning sensation, then it started to get all these little bubbles over it. They developed into this big red mass.
"I looked like my face had been in a fire, like I was burned. I couldn't move my lips. Eating actually became very difficult.
"I remember, I used to eat an apple a day - but I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to eat an apple. I went back to the doctors with my face like this, to find out what was going on. The doctor told me he was quite puzzled.
"Again, they gave me stronger steroids and told me to put them over my face. It reduced it and it slowly went away. Then, in December 2024, my wrists started to erupt again and that red sleeve started to come back.
"Driving home from work, sometimes I'd be crying. With TSW, your skin flakes and I would drive home just unbearably scratching.
"My car was covered in skin flakes - everywhere was covered in skin flakes. I would vacuum my bed every single day - I would vacuum every time I took my clothes off, because my skin would just fly everywhere.
"It was about two months where I couldn't write - I couldn't use a pen. I've never been so sick in my life - I've never had skin issues in my entire life."
Feeling like her life had been hijacked by relentless research into skin conditions, Francesca neared her breaking point. In January this year, she stumbled upon an organisation raising awareness of Topical Steroid Withdrawal, a condition emerging after stopping high doses of steroids that can result in itchy, peeling skin.
Despite reportedly touching 15% of those on steroids, she lamented that risks were never communicated to her and reckons the regular use of steroid creams has exacerbated her symptoms.
"All I've been doing for the past year is researching - researching eczema, researching psoriasis, researching all the different types, trying to find information," she explained. "At the end of January, I came across an organisation that campaigns for Topical Steroid Withdrawal.
"I remember that day that I found out - everything clicked. The red sleeves, the red face, the peeling, the oozing, the inflammation, the burning - everything finally made sense and I saw photos of people who looked like me.
"I cannot believe that for the 18 months that I'd been going to and from the doctors, with all the symptoms of Topical Steroid Withdrawal and not once it was mentioned or queried. No one had mentioned it at all - and my life had become skin.
"I couldn't do the things I normally do and I hid away. I had no idea it even existed."
After a long struggle, Francesca found Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) Therapy, a non-invasive treatment that eases inflammation, destroys harmful bacteria, and aids in repairing the skin barrier. She was diagnosed with TSW following a consultation at a clinic that provides this privately available therapy.
In a bid to reclaim her life, Francesca took to the internet to share her ordeal with TSW and initiated a fundraising campaign.
"When I heard back from the UK clinic, at first I was overjoyed, but then pretty quickly I had no idea how I was going to afford it," she admitted.
She recalled: "I remember I actually emailed them and I said 'I'm really nervous, I don't know if I can fund it; I don't know if I can commit to it. I very much am that glass half full person, but this condition that has taken me into places so dark, I can't believe I've been there.
"I've had very dark thoughts, very dark moments, and felt really at the bottom of a pit. You lose your confidence; people look at you differently.
"People judge you and all you can do is seek help - but there is no help out there. The mental side was tough, but I just knew I needed to try - and that's why the GoFundMe page was started. I just felt like I was bearing my soul and bearing what happens behind closed doors - I was very nervous."
Fortunately, within days, Francesca had received numerous messages of support and has undergone three sessions of CAP treatments. She says she has already noticed improvements and has even been able to afford essentials like new bandages to protect her irritated skin between sessions, which has been a "huge relief."
The outpouring of support has given her the courage to share her story so others with TSW don't have to feel isolated.
"I just cannot believe how generous people have been and are being for me - I am lost for words," she expressed. "I have to bandage myself every night and then during the day if I'm going somewhere that there could be a possible irritant.
"These little things have made a huge, huge difference to my day-to-day life. I'm eternally grateful for that, and still very blown away.
"In the hell that I've been living, this has just been such a light for me. Prior to putting it out there, I was at my lowest I've ever been. People know now what's going on and there's no more hiding."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
High cholesterol warning sign you can feel in your hands
High cholesterol is a common condition that can have serious consequences if left untreated, including an increased risk of heart disease. One of the symptoms may impact your knees High cholesterol is a silent threat to heart health, often showing no symptoms and leading to serious conditions like heart disease or stroke if left unchecked. Certain individuals are more susceptible to high cholesterol, including men, those over 50, and people of South Asian or sub-Saharan African descent. Lifestyle factors such as consuming fatty foods, being overweight, smoking, and alcohol consumption can also contribute to high cholesterol levels. Familial hypercholesterolaemia, a genetic condition where the liver fails to properly process cholesterol, resulting in elevated blood cholesterol levels, can also be a cause. Those with familial hypercholesterolaemia may notice certain symptoms, one of which affects the knees. Tendon xanthomata, swellings composed of cholesterol, can form on your knees, knuckles, or Achilles tendon. Other signs include small, yellow cholesterol deposits near the inner corner of your eye, known as xanthelasmas, or a pale, white ring around your iris, referred to as corneal arcus, reports Surrey Live. It's crucial to have your cholesterol levels checked regularly, either at your GP surgery or some pharmacies. The NHS recommends requesting a test from your GP if you're over 40, overweight, or have a family history of high cholesterol or heart problems and haven't had a test before. To keep your cholesterol levels in check, the British Heart Foundation suggests being more active. They explain that physical activity helps shift bad cholesterol to your liver, where it can be expelled from your body. But don't worry, you won't need to start training for a marathon. Simple activities like taking the stairs, practising yoga or Pilates, or going for a brisk walk can make a significant difference. According to the BHF, one of the "best things" you can do for your cholesterol and overall health is to quit smoking. They assure that within days your health will start to improve, "and within a year, your risk of heart disease will be halved". Your diet also plays a crucial role in managing cholesterol levels. You should aim to reduce your intake of foods such as meat pies, sausages, butter, cream, hard cheese, cakes, biscuits, and anything containing coconut oil or palm oil. The NHS recommends incorporating more oily fish, olive oil, brown bread, wholegrain bread, whole-wheat pasta, nuts and seeds, and fruits and vegetables into your diet. It's also vital to moderate your alcohol consumption, according to the NHS. They advise not exceeding 14 units of alcohol per week and avoiding binge drinking. If you're struggling to cut down, your GP can provide helpful advice.
Telegraph
20-07-2025
- Telegraph
The Midults: My wife sleeps in the spare room more and more
Dear A&E, My wife has started sleeping in the spare room more and more and I'm a bit concerned. We've only been married for a year and are in our early 30s. And I don't really snore, unless I've been drinking. I am worried that we are already drifting apart, and the separate bedrooms are just the beginning. Our sex life is great but I want all of her. Love, – Uneasy Dear Uneasy, We are obsessed with sleep. We talk about sleep like we used to talk about sex: how much are you getting? How long does it last? Was it good? Sleeping seven to nine hours a night is the holy grail; a key factor in positive mental health, physical health, all the healths. We pathologise it, we catastrophise about it, because, like sex, we're mostly not getting enough. We are tired all the time and we worry about being tired all the time, which means we don't sleep; an unvirtuous circle. We have Oura rings (one friend admitted to being a bit disappointed when her Oura ring told her she was getting a surprisingly healthy amount of sleep) to track our REM cycles. And we don't merely avoid caffeine after 2pm – that's rookie sleep hygiene. No, we try to practise clean bedtime routines: We don't drink, we don't eat anything too heavy; no screens; you name it… anything in order to give ourselves the best chance of hitting that dreamy eight hours of oblivion. And it's not just us mid-lifers who are poring over sleep apps and signing up to be measured and biohacked to within an inch of our lives. Your thirty-something wife is just another of her cohort who is feverish about nighttime routines: the problem of sleep deprivation in millennials is so widespread that they are commonly known as 'The Tired Generation'. So, dear Uneasy, your feelings are collateral damage in this crusade. Sure, it's lovely to be wrapped around someone now and again, but nothing beats sleeping alone. Sleeping with someone else can be quite trying once the honeymoon is over. There are temperature issues, one is always too hot, while the other is too cold. You say snoring is not often a factor but you might talk, or move, or just breathe a bit too much. And then there's the bed itself: duvet weight, tucked in sheets, disagreements over optimum mattress type. Emilie's husband likes a firm mattress; Emilie, not so much. So they have a compromise mattress which in the end appeals to neither. Emilie sneaks down to sink into her trusty memory foam mattress in the spare room at every given opportunity. Everyone is happy. Lack of sleep can inflict significant damage on a human body and it can also be a huge potential threat to a relationship. People usually want to bring their best selves to a marriage, a self that can be severely compromised by a bad night. And, if children appear, it becomes imperative that at least one person sleeps in order to keep the show on the road. Perhaps your wife would rather sleep in the other room to be able to make the most of her waking hours; rather than emerging from a tough night full of dread. The good news is, dear Uneasy, from our point of view, you are doing pretty damn well: you are getting sex and sleep. However, as you are worrying – and presumably, as a result, not bringing your best self to the day – why not do a little investigating and join her quest for the perfect sleep situation? Work out what exactly it is that is sending her scuttling off to the other room. Is there a temperature issue, in which case get separate duvets (a game-changing idea courtesy of the scandis). Does she like to read in bed but you want the light off or vice versa? (A Kindle is a good solve here). Is the mattress right? Is the bed big enough? Are the curtains heavier in the other room? Perhaps with a little tweak you might find your sleepily ever after. If not, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone, in sleeping alone. A friend of ours, who is a very distinguished interior designer, says that the third meeting with a client is always when 'the snoring room' come up. 'Of course, we're very happy,' they all say, 'It's just that the snoring is unbearable.' Separate rooms do not equate to separate lives. One last thing, dear Uneasy. It is interesting to us that you say in your letter that you 'want all of her'. Perhaps that sounds romantic to you, and it might well be. It might also be a lot of pressure, on both of you. Careful, because none of us can be everything, or give everything, to someone else. It is important in any relationship to have room to grow, to oxygenate and flourish. An urge to be possessed, to be held all the time, might initially have felt very natural and exciting, but over time, could feel a little stifling. Don't tuck her in too tight. We are not saying that this is what is making her bolt for the other bedroom, but it is worth keeping an eye on. Good luck and good night.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Shed weight and sculpt your body in just 28 days with the personalized pilates program that blitzes fat FAST
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Jumping into a weight loss program can feel daunting. If you're motivated to finally lose the extra pounds and burn away the fat for good, though, the Simple Wall Pilates program could be just what you need to see (and feel!) the difference fast. And we do mean 'fast,' as the workout plan is customized into a manageable 28-day challenge that is customized to your specific needs and that is updated monthly as you make progress. When you subscribe today, you'll get three months free! Simple Wall Pilates 28-Day Challenge Reclaim your life, build your confidence, and find your way back to great health with the Simple 28-day pilates challenge for women. This incredible program offers everything that you need to feel your best, with your built-in AI coach Avo providing you with guidance and support every step of the way. It's fun, engaging, and designed to help you stick to it — so you can achieve your weight goals and feel your best. 3 months FREE Get Started This user lost a stunning 86 pounds in just one year by using the Simple app to optimize her health It's an incredible deal that includes rewarding Pilates workouts that you can do right at home, along with personalized coaching to help you stay the course. With a focus on nutrition and helping you get stronger, the program takes a multifaceted approach to your fitness. Each week's plan is based on the results you achieved in the previous week. This is a huge plus, as it gives you some extra motivation as you watch the pounds slide off. The beauty of the Simple program is that you really feel like you have a cheerleader in your corner (or in your pocket, in this case). That cheerleader is actually Avo, the in-app coach that's basically your 24/7 assistant on call, there to provide guidance and support during every step of your journey. You can rely on Avo to provide everything from workout ideas to diet advice. Also built into the app are individual tracking systems for some of the most important factors linked to getting healthier, including your hydration levels, fasting, and movement. The Pilates challenge is already so popular that more than 179,000 have signed up to experience the Simple difference. People truly trust the program, with more than 18 million people downloading it (and an impressive 4.7 rating, too). You can literally train virtually anywhere, whether you're at home or on the road. These workouts focus on common trouble zones that might need some extra attention. You'll have options galore, from sculpting your legs and glutes to strengthening your core to getting your lower body summer-ready, the Simple Pilates program is designed to make you the ultimate fitness guru of your own life. Sleek and user-friendly, the Simple app's interface includes a built-in AI coach (Avo) along with trackers for important factors like hydration and fasting Another key benefit is that almost anyone can take advantage of it. These workouts work wonders, but they're low impact — which means no strain on your joints and an easier time easing your way into the workouts. You may be able to achieve it all in as little as 15 minutes a day, which is an amazing advantage for those who either don't love to work out or who are a little short on time. Even if that describes you right now, it may not for long! Once you give the Simple app a try, you may never look back! Subscribe today to enjoy three free months added to your plan.
