| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 2831 |
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| 2 | 2 | | House Resolution 135 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Representative Hong of the 103 |
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| 4 | 4 | | rd |
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| 5 | 5 | | |
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| 6 | 6 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 7 | 7 | | Recognizing February 3, 2025, as Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Awareness Day at |
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| 8 | 8 | | 1 |
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| 9 | 9 | | the state capitol; and for other purposes.2 |
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| 10 | 10 | | WHEREAS, Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS), also known as Topical Steroid3 |
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| 11 | 11 | | Addiction or Red Skin Syndrome, is a severe and debilitating condition that can arise from4 |
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| 12 | 12 | | intentional or unintentional exposure to topical steroids; and5 |
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| 13 | 13 | | WHEREAS, topical steroids are widely prescribed and available over the counter to treat6 |
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| 14 | 14 | | both acute and chronic skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia7 |
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| 15 | 15 | | areata; and8 |
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| 16 | 16 | | WHEREAS, TSWS is characterized by severe symptoms such as skin flushing,9 |
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| 17 | 17 | | inflammation, diffuse spreading rashes, profuse skin flaking, and intense burning and itching10 |
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| 18 | 18 | | that often surpass the severity of the original condition, typically manifesting after the use11 |
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| 19 | 19 | | of topical steroids, between treatments, or upon discontinuation; and12 |
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| 20 | 20 | | WHEREAS, recovery from TSWS can take several months to several years, leaving many13 |
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| 21 | 21 | | sufferers bedridden or housebound and unable to work, care for children, or attend school;14 |
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| 22 | 22 | | and15 |
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| 23 | 23 | | H. R. 135 |
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| 24 | 24 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 2831 |
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| 25 | 25 | | WHEREAS, the prolonged withdrawal and recovery period can have a profound impact on |
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| 26 | 26 | | 16 |
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| 27 | 27 | | both physical and mental health, with 81 percent of adults and 56 percent of children17 |
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| 28 | 28 | | experiencing TSWS reporting anxiety or depression and 47 percent of adults and 11 percent18 |
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| 29 | 29 | | of children reporting suicidal ideation; and19 |
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| 30 | 30 | | WHEREAS, the prevalence of topical steroid addiction remains unknown due to a scarcity20 |
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| 31 | 31 | | of published research; and21 |
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| 32 | 32 | | WHEREAS, limited research on TSWS hinders the development of diagnostic criteria; the22 |
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| 33 | 33 | | understanding of its causes, effects, and mechanisms; the establishment of appropriate23 |
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| 34 | 34 | | treatment protocols; and the education of both healthcare providers and patients on TSWS24 |
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| 35 | 35 | | and steroid stewardship; and25 |
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| 36 | 36 | | WHEREAS, a lack of awareness and education about TSWS among both patients and26 |
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| 37 | 37 | | providers can lead to misunderstandings, causing patients to question their providers' medical27 |
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| 38 | 38 | | oversight and leading providers to suspect medication non-compliance or, in some cases,28 |
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| 39 | 39 | | parental neglect; and29 |
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| 40 | 40 | | WHEREAS, all parties would benefit greatly from increased awareness and prevention30 |
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| 41 | 41 | | education on the signs of topical steroid dependence and the risks associated with TSWS.31 |
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| 42 | 42 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that32 |
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| 43 | 43 | | the members of this body recognize February 3, 2025, as Topical Steroid Withdrawal33 |
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| 44 | 44 | | Syndrome Awareness Day at the state capitol.34 |
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| 45 | 45 | | H. R. 135 |
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| 46 | 46 | | - 2 - 25 LC 112 2831 |
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| 47 | 47 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized |
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| 48 | 48 | | 35 |
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| 49 | 49 | | and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the36 |
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| 50 | 50 | | public and the press.37 |
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| 51 | 51 | | H. R. 135 |
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| 52 | 52 | | - 3 - |
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