Topical Corticosteroid Phobia among Caregivers of Paediatric Atopic Dermatitis Patients in Thailand: A Single-Center Study

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common childhood skin condition, with topical corticosteroids (TCS) being the mainstay of treatment. Although TCS phobia has been reported among children with AD and their caregivers in many countries, no studies have yet investigated TCS phobia among caregivers of children with AD in Thailand. Objective: The objective of this study was to study the prevalence and severity of the fear of using TCS and to investigate the factors that influence this fear of caretakers’ children with AD. In addition, to examine the relationship between the fear of using TCS and the severity of AD and other potentially related factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient department of the Institute of Dermatology, using the Thai version of the Topical Corticosteroid Phobia questionnaire ( n = 255). Results: The prevalence and severity of TCS phobia are 67.1% (95% confidence interval: 61.1%, 72.5%), with a mean ± standard deviation of 58.1% ±9.9%. TCS phobia is associated with male caregivers ( P = 0.044) and AD patients who have a history of complications after using TCS ( P = 0.020). In addition, many caregivers resort to using topical herbal remedies due to their fear of TCS ( P = 0.046). Conclusion: The high prevalence of TCS phobia among caregivers of AD patients necessitates targeted interventions. Healthcare providers should implement educational programs to inform caregivers about TCS benefits and risks while addressing their concerns and misconceptions. Building trust and using shared decision-making can also help reduce this phobia.