Patna: Liberal use of topical steroid creams has led to an increase in cases of untreatable skin conditions, experts said during World Skin Health Day celebrations here recently.

Members associated with the state branch of Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists said on many instances, the topical steroid creams - also found in fairness creams - they prescribe patients with skin-fungal infections do not work, because of resistance developed to the drug.

The doctors were speaking a programme marking World Skin Health Day on April 6. According to non-governmental organisation International League of Dermatological Societies, the World Skin Health Day campaign can be observed on any day in the year.

"Irrational use of topical steroids leads the skin to thin. It removes the upper layer of the skin while the second layer (dermis) which comes out contains blood vessel. Such irrational use of steroid creams can cause permanent damage to the skin and also, sometimes, skin cancer," said Nalanda Medical College and Hospital dermatologist Vikas Shankar, the secretary of the state chapter of Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists.

Shankar said a task force against topical steroid abuse and another against quackery has been formed in the association. The doctors later took out an awareness march from hotel Maurya to JP Golambar, 500m away.