Table 2 Response to questions on TCS specific fears and on behaviors regarding TCS use
Fears and beliefs | Category | I completely disagree | I don’t really agree | I agree to a certain extent | I completely agree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TCS are effective over a short time period | E | 12 (4%) | 25 (9%) | 84 (30%) | 155 (56%) |
TCS are effective over a long time period | E | 81 (30%) | 58 (21%) | 100 (37%) | 33 (12%) |
TCS pass into the bloodstream | S | 66 (25%) | 40 (15%) | 92 (35%) | 67 (25%) |
TCS can lead to infections | S | 147 (56%) | 55 (21%) | 40 (15%) | 22 (8%) |
TCS make you fat | S | 120 (44%) | 40 (15%) | 69 (25%) | 42 (15%) |
TCS damage your skin | S | 59 (22%) | 44 (16%) | 104 (38%) | 65 (24%) |
TCS will affect my future health | S | 93 (35%) | 51 (19%) | 90 (33%) | 35 (13%) |
There is a dependency risk | S | 90 (33%) | 35 (13%) | 84 (31%) | 62 (23%) |
I can become resistant to TCS | S | 42 (16%) | 44 (17%) | 107 (40%) | 72 (27%) |
TCS become inefficient over time | E | 31 (12%) | 39 (14%) | 110 (41%) | 89 (33%) |
TCS calm symptoms but don’t treat the cause | E | 24 (9%) | 25 (9%) | 67 (24%) | 159 (58%) |
TCS make eczema worse | E | 152 (57%) | 58 (22%) | 43 (16%) | 15 (6%) |
TCS stop the eczema from coming up to the surface of the skin | E | 33 (12%) | 37 (14%) | 72 (27%) | 129 (48%) |
TCS can lead to asthma | S | 181 (72%) | 36 (14%) | 29 (11%) | 7 (3%) |
I don’t know of any side-effects but I’m still afraid of TCS | S | 43 (16%) | 43 (16%) | 102 (38%) | 82 (30%) |
TCS are more dangerous than CS in tablet form | S | 177 (66%) | 37 (14%) | 35 (13%) | 18 (7%) |
TCS treatment takes time and effort | E | 89 (32%) | 74 (27%) | 73 (27%) | 38 (14%) |
TCS treatment is complicated | Q | 157 (58%) | 57 (21%) | 38 (14%) | 19 (7%) |
TCS treatment helps me improve my quality of life | Q | 26 (9%) | 27 (10%) | 122 (44%) | 100 (36%) |
TCS increase my well-being | Q | 36 (13%) | 31 (11%) | 115 (42%) | 91 (33%) |
The advantages of TCS use outweigh the disadvantages | Q | 23 (8%) | 44 (16%) | 120 (44%) | 87 (32%) |
Behaviors regarding TCS treatment | Never | Sometimes | Often | Always | |
I’m afraid of applying too much cream | S | 76 (29%) | 114 (44%) | 58 (22%) | 11 (4%) |
I’m afraid of using the cream for too long | S | 49 (19%) | 104 (40%) | 77 (30%) | 28 (11%) |
I’m afraid of putting cream on certain zones like the eyelids, where the skin is thinner | S | 47 (18%) | 70 (27%) | 71 (27%) | 73 (28%) |
It’s more dangerous to use TCS on children than on adults | S | 42 (16%) | 72 (28%) | 75 (29%) | 72 (28%) |
If the doctor prescribed TCS then I would apply the prescription | C | 31 (12%) | 67 (26%) | 53 (20%) | 109 (42%) |
I wait as long as I can before applying the treatment | C | 72 (27%) | 70 (27%) | 64 (24%) | 56 (21%) |
I stop the treatment as soon as I can | C | 34 (13%) | 51 (19%) | 87 (33%) | 90 (34%) |
I am careful to rub the cream in well when I apply it | S | 11 (4%) | 27 (10%) | 71 (27%) | 151 (58%) |
I avoid putting TCS on my child’s hands | S | 78 (30%) | 46 (18%) | 32 (12%) | 102 (40%) |
I need reassurance about TCS | S | 44 (17%) | 72 (27%) | 61 (23%) | 87 (33%) |