title: Prevalence of Topical Steroid Misuse Among Rural Masses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A lot of cosmetic and Ayurvedic products containing unlabeled depigmenting agent and steroids are available readily over the counter sale. The side effects of these products are not documented and can lead to adverse effects of continuous usage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  By this study, we aimed to find out the true nature of the above problem and it's implication in the Indian rural scenario.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients attending dermatology department during the period of 3 months from May to June 2013 for skin diseases were enquired about unsupervised use of any cosmetic product on their facial skin, duration of use, any side effect experienced through the prescribed questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total 50 patients were recruited for the study. Out of which, 48% were males and 52% were females. Seventy-four percent of people had applied topical products/steroids in an attempt of attainment of fair complexion, 14% for melasma, 8% for acne induced hyperpigmentation, and 4% for dark circles. About 80% people had obtained one or the other products over the counter sale, 8% had followed the attractive advertisements, 8% had started the application on the recommendation of friends/family while only 4% people had correctly gone through the proper channel to consult a dermatologist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The problem of topical products or steroids abuse is rampant and significant, and unless and until immediate steps are taken to root out this problem from our setup, the condition will become worse all the more.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, Leprosy, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, Leprosy, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kar
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, Leprosy, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, Leprosy, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Bhushan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Madke
keywords: Dermatoses; over the counter; tachyphylaxis; topical steroid