One of the major Japanese TV channels broadcasted TSW (Topical Steroid
Withdrawal)and NMT (No Moisturizing Treatment)
in a VERY popular show on the 7th Sep
. This is the first time since TSW was
aired once in 1989 in Japan. The show in 1989 received a lot of criticism and
was controversial all over Japan, but it seems like it was overwhelmed by some power
and influence. The majority of treatments for AD (Atopic Dermatitis), eczema, etc…
are TS (Topical Steroids) in Japan too and the Dermatological association designates
TS as the standard treatment for AD without evidence. Non-steroidal treatments
and NMT doctors’ achievements have never been accepted by the medical association
for a long time 
though they show evidence and have been showing great results for
more than 3 decades. Our society is not kind to sufferers who don’t want to use TS.
After this topic was aired this month, the brave sufferer who
provided her pictures, a supervised NMT doctor, a director,
the producer and the TV channel have been getting tons of
criticism by steroidal doctors and patients who hate non-steroidal
treatments since it was a sensation all over Japan. Also, several
big groups such as the dermatological association, the society of
pediatric dermatology, the society of pediatric allergology, the
society of allergology, the society of Dermatological Immunology, the society of
allergology (Patients’ association), etc…submitted a joint statement to protest
the TV channel. The broadcaster has received a great deal of criticism and it
seems to have succumbed to authority. They broadcasted a special corner for
an apology for the ‘confusion’ and clearly stated, “Topical Steroids are
safe as long as you use them appropriately.”
Since the movement of non-steroid is accelerating all over the world
and the awareness of TSW is spreading year by year, this series of movements
against non-steroidal treatments in Japan is widely spread. I also received
many warm messages from overseas asking, “Is there anything I can do for
you and Japanese TSW sufferers?” (**We have campaigns here and there
in Japan to send the appreciation to the TV channel and the producers for
the great topic broadcasted. If you have seen the show, you also can do it!)
To send a message to Nippon TV ‘Sekai Gyouten News show’
After clicking ‘WRITE’, you’ll be required to add the following;
*Nickname or Name
*Select age
*Select Male or Female
*Select occupation >>Recommend choosing the bottom one, meaning ‘Others’
*Write a message. And then click ‘確認’ for confirmation
*Click ‘投稿する’=’Submit’ on the next page.
Well, the followings are my translation of Dr. Kenji Sato‘s statement
about this movement in Japan.
👇 👇 👇 👇 👇 👇
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
◆My Thoughts About Criticisms of a Japanese
TV Program, ‘The Sekai Gyouten News’（=’The
World’s Astonishing News’), by the Dermatological
Association and other groups◆
– Dr. Kenji Sato –
The letter of protest criticizes the TV channel for misleading the public with
the wrong scientific explanation doesn’t mention anything that the sufferer
got worse with stopping use of topical steroids, and that she has healed
very well though it took a long time. Her original illness is rosacea,
and in guidelines of dermatologists and in regular dermatology
textbooks state that discontinuation of steroids is the treatment for
this sickness. I’m wondering why they didn’t mention anything about these things?
In the broadcast on the 7th Sep, it was explained that the lady got severe symptoms
because topical steroids reduced steroid production from the adrenal glands, and
her body lost steroids due to discontinuation of steroids, however, it is a phenomenon
that occurs when a large amount is applied to the whole body. This is also described
in the guidelines. However, the fact is, it is unlikely to happen just by applying it to
the face.
The mistake in explaining the phenomenon in the broadcast is certainly a problem,
but I think it is a bigger problem to ignore the fact that it got worse with
the discontinuation of topical use of steroids and that it improved slowly
when she waited for it patiently.
I believe science has a mission to explain facts, and ignoring
facts deviates from the basics of science. I think each academic society that
issued the criticism has an obligation to think carefully about this point.
In 2017, it was proved that steroids are generated ‘in the skin‘ in mice.
Also, the presence of all the enzymes that make steroid hormones has also been
proven in human skin. If you know the facts above, it is easier to understand
that if you apply artificial steroids to the skin, it suppresses steroid
production in the skin by a feedback mechanism and that if you stop
applying steroids to the skin, the skin can’t catch up with generating
steroids appropriately and inflammation occurs in the skin due to
steroid deficiency. If such an explanation was given, the academic society
could not have criticized it.
In January 2021, the National Eczema Society and British Association
of Dermatologists in the United Kingdom announced a joint position
statement that Withdrawing Topical Steroids also is one of the treatments
for cases of atopic dermatitis that are difficult to cure. I think Japanese academic
societies are lagging behind the trends of the world.
Dr. Kenji Sato
– Translated by Tokuko
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Nowadays, since anybody can watch Japanese TV programs too in foreign countries,
it was shared in non-steroidal support groups in the world right after
the TV show was broadcasted. A lot of people added comments in them and it was
impressive that several people said, “It made me cry.😭” Some remembered
their past tough moments with horrible symptoms and some felt like they got people
who understand their severe conditions.
Yes, there are tons of TSW sufferers all over
the world.
◆The Distribution Map of ‘Tokuko’s Room To Feel Uplifted‘◆
The distribution map of this blog, as of Sep 2021. As you see the pink parts, there are readers all over the world except for some countries in Africa and the Middle East. This proves that there are tons of TSW sufferers who are struggling worldwide. Readers are learning or would like to learn NMT through my blog.
As you know, TSW sufferers started to take action.
“I don’t want to apply TS to the skin anymore!”
“I got well after I stopped using TS!”
Although the sufferers are trying to convey what they have experienced without
profit, the enormous power to benefits from TS is trying to suppress their voice.
My concern is that it leads to a serious matter that people
wouldn’t have access to information that can be used to
make decisions about choices of treatments.
If you’d like to use TS, of course, you can. There are various cases and situations,
for example, some people can’t take sick leave anymore, or some may have a
wedding ceremony next week, etc…You may benefit from temporarily reducing
inflammation because TS is effective to suppress it immediately. I have no
intention of blaming such fellow sufferers. However, whether you use TS or not,
it is not fair if we were taken away the opportunities to
obtain information that can be judged by our own eyes,
and without its construction, our society remains immature.
The decision whether you use it or not is yours at your own risk.
What I’d like to say is, it is a big problem that sufferers who do not want to
use steroids have difficulty with receiving appropriate support from doctors
and this has come to the point where it needs to be improved urgently.
Actually, there are tons of sufferers who got well after they stopped using steroids.
I have been recommending NMT (No steroidal
and No Moisturizing Treatment) because you can
regain strong and healthy skin with it. I never
imagined that I would be fine without medications.
My skin is getting stronger year
by year. It’s been 8 years since I stopped using TS and I have the strongest
skin ever in my life. There may be small flares in some cases but as the body learns
how to produce sebum and natural moisturizers, the strong skin naturally returns to
healthy skin by itself. However, the process of healing without medication is extremely
difficult both mentally and physically, and sometimes we must overcome the painful
symptoms that make it impossible to have a normal social life. So I can’t say, “You have
to stop using steroids!” simply. Your VERY strong determination
is required. Again, if you’d like to use TS, use it. I just convey my fact and other
fellow sufferers’ facts around me that it got better without steroids because I believe it
is a mission for sufferers who have experienced TSW to
share that TS might have horrible side effects. After getting
more information or after you are aware of many things, you should make a choice
of treatments.
I don’t criticize people who use TS (immunosuppressants) but everyone has
a right to know and to notify sufferers/caregivers that there are tons of
sufferers who got well without steroids (immunosuppressants).
It is an immature society that enormous power overwhelms the act of telling the
truth for the person who stands in the front line bravely and it deprives the right
to know the information from people who would like to get it. Also, it is an act
heading in the opposite direction of the world’s trend.
The guidelines of the Dermatological Association in Japan clearly state that
there are no medicines for complete recovery for Atopic dermatitis so patients
should be able to select treatments that do not use
steroids and we hope that a system will be put in place that allows medical
care to support non-steroidal treatments.
Fellow sufferers, you don’t need to fight against steroidal people including
steroidal doctors. If someone would like to use topical steroids, he/she has the right
to choose them. The person can get ‘Likes‘ from other people.👍
If someone wouldn’t like to use topical steroids, he/she has the right to not use them.
The person also can get ‘Likes‘ from other people.👍
It is an immature society that either strongly rejects objections. For those who
don’t like non-steroidal treatments, I don’t think it’s desirable to be suspected
that there may be some special reason behind it.
The tides of the world are already moving ahead.
Until society is created in which patients who do not want to apply steroids
can choose not to apply them and can receive appropriate treatment, please
give more opportunities to speak up and send energy
for next activities to the leading doctors and people
who voice for helping TSW sufferers, by hitting
‘Share‘ and giving ‘Like‘👍.
I’m not saying that I want you to speak up participating in the demonstrations.😆
However, if you do nothing, nothing will change. A small transmission
(‘Like‘ or ‘Share‘, for example) of each patient is an important
action to create a comfortable society💖. (=to obtain the right to select
treatment without using TS)
Keep doing what you can do now. If each person moves, it will be a huge power.
And this is the movement by ‘The peaceful revolutionary
warriors‘ that I lead.
We are the ones to create a better world.
Have a GREAT day!
P.S. If you agree with me, please hit ‘Like‘ or ‘Share‘ on Facebook
or share to Twitter or anywhere. Any action will be welcomed😉. With
that tiny action alone, you can appeal to the interest of the world to society.
Copyright © 2021 Tokuko Abfab All Rights Reserved.
◆My article on the Australian Web News◆
<<For the awareness of TSW to share>>
Tokuko’s article on the Australian web newspaper
***Since pictures of my symptoms were deleted, please click Japanese version below to see them.
Translation of Tokuko’s article in the Australian newspaper
Topical Steroid Withdrawal & NMT (No Moisturising Treatment)
👇日本語版はこちら！ Japanese Version 👇
ステロイド副作用を報じたTV番組への批判について・佐藤健二先生のお考え
ステロイド副作用を報じたTV番組への批判について・佐藤健二先生のお考え
#NMT #atopicdermatitis #drkenjisato #TSW #nomoisturizingtreatment #eczema #sekaimarumie
時には、
しかし、私たち患者は、ほとんどが、皮膚科の先生に、
さて、かなり以前に、このブログのコメント欄の中で、
血が出ることも、皮膚がぐちゃぐちゃになってしまうことも、
ですから、そのコントロール不能な痒みの最中に、
ですから、佐藤先生のように
我慢できる痒みは我慢した方がいいのは、
女性は、ただ、苦しんでいる方々を元気付けたい思いで
そして、コメント欄にも目を通したところ、
人に会って仕事をしている私です。
「
痛い症状だけは、しばししょうがない・・・
良くなっている所を見逃しておられるのです。
よくなっている部分に大喜びして明るく
『
赤ちゃん・お子さんのアトピーがよくならない・・・
まずは、（お子さんの）
病院に行けば、世界共通で
副作用は、薬の説明書に書いてあるような甘いものではありません。