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India Today Cover Story: Chronic Itch Causes, Risks And Dangers Of Steroid Creams
This week's India Today magazine cover story, titled 'The Big Itch', investigates why persistent itching should not be dismissed as a minor nuisance. Global burden of disease data reveals that people suffering from itching rose by 83% between 1990 and 2021, while a 2024 survey showed 42.6% of Indians scratched an itch in the prior week. Doctors classify itching lasting over six weeks as chronic, warning it can stem from weather, fungal infections, eczema, or systemic conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, and kidney or liver diseases. The report highlights widespread self-medication and misuse of over-the-counter steroid creams. A 2022 study across 13 Indian dermatology centres found 50.9% of patients with fungal infections misused steroid creams, which mask symptoms, aggravate infections, and cause adverse effects such as skin thinning and stretch marks. Medical experts advise consulting dermatologists for targeted treatments rather than following social media advice or relying on random creams.
