Derm Dispatch: New Topical Steroid Withdrawal ICD-10 Code Explained

Topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) finally has its own ICD-10 code — a milestone Kelly Barta, president and executive director of the International Topical Steroid Awareness Network (ITSAN), calls a turning point for patient validation and research. In this episode of Derm Dispatch, host Renata Block, DMSCc, MMS, PA-C, sits down with Barta to unpack what the new diagnostic code means for dermatologists, patients, and the future of TSW research. Barta explains how the ICD-10 approval, following years of review by the CDC and AAD, opens the door to better incidence tracking, insurance coverage, and formal research funding for topical steroid withdrawal. The conversation also dives into ITSAN's U.S. patient registry, hosted through NORD's IAmRare platform, which aims to enroll 5,000 participants worldwide to help clarify how TSW differs from severe eczema and identify regional patterns in topical steroid use. Block and Barta discuss practical communication strategies for dermatologists navigating steroid hesitancy in the exam room, including how language around misuse and steroid phobia can alienate patients rather than build trust. They also cover how clinicians can partner with ITSAN by directing patients to the patient registry, sharing vetted resources from itsan.org, and attending ITSAN's upcoming TSW Summit in Atlanta this July. For any dermatology provider fielding questions about topical steroid withdrawal, this episode offers concrete steps for validating patient experience while advancing the clinical evidence base. ---------- Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 0:42 – New ICD-10 Code for TSW 3:30 – Building the U.S. Patient Registry 8:42 – Dermatologist Referral Pathways 12:01 – Communication Strategies for Patient Trust 18:11 – Partnering with ITSAN & Upcoming Summit ------------ 🔗 Read more: https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view... 📩 Subscribe for more:    / @dermatologytimes   🌐 Visit us: https://www.dermatologytimes.com/ ----------- Dermatology Times is the leading multimedia resource for dermatologists and clinicians who treat skin conditions. Visit us at dermatologytimes.com for the latest clinical news, expert perspectives, and CME opportunities. #DermatologyTimes #Dermatology #TSW #TopicalSteroidWithdrawal #Eczema #PatientAdvocacy #SteroidHesitancy