With a view to educate the general medical practitioners about topical steroids (lotion, cream and ointment) and oral anti-histamines (oral anti-allergic drug), and to rationalise their use, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) along with Indian Society of Tele-Dermatology (INSTED) conducted an academic meet in Chennai.

Two hundred doctors from various parts of Tamil Nadu and from other states participated in the meet. Dr Parimalam Kumar, head of department of dermatology, Villupuram Medical College clarified and answered all the doubts and queries raised by the doctors.

Sources from INSTED said because of the acceptance of the program by the doctors, the society plans to go with the CME program as one of the support systems that help general practitioners all over India to improve their practice and best care of their patients.

Prof. Jayakar Thomas, president of INSTED said,“As topical steroids bring relief from itching, the patients and pharmacists start using and promoting it as magical remedy for every skin disorder, which should not be the case.  The adverse events of topical steroid abuse are steroid-induced acne, excessive sensitivity to sunlight, hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation, cutaneous fungal and bacterial infections, striae, telangiectasis, hypertrichosis (excessive unwanted hair growth) and also systemic disorders like diabetes mellitus and cushingoid manifestations”.

Dr Dinesh Kumar, general secretary of INSTED said, “In view of the existing menace of topical steroid abuse, a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is being organised to educate on oral antihistamines (anti-allergic drug) and topical steroid usage which happens to be common prescriptions in everyday practice. This CME is accredited by the Tamil Nadu Medical Council for CME Credit hours.”