A 29-year-old woman from Newham, London, says she never appreciated her looks until a severe skin condition left her feeling like a 'monster'. Holli Williams now rarely leaves the house without a hood and mask to hide her face, which is covered in excruciatingly painful, oozing, and flaky skin.
Life Ruined by TSW
Holli claims her life has been 'ruined' over the past two years. Her skin is so tight that she struggles to open her mouth to eat, and her face sticks to her pillow at night. She constantly vacuums dead skin from her bed, floors, and countertops. She believes her condition is topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), a reaction to long-term use of steroid creams prescribed for eczema since age six.
From Mild Eczema to Debilitating Condition
Holli had mild eczema and used steroid creams sparingly for 23 years. In March 2024, she noticed the creams stopped working. After stopping steroids in November 2024, she developed a 'red sleeve' rash from wrist to elbow, which spread to her neck, forcing her to quit her job as a fashion stylist. In January 2026, she experienced oozing rashes, cracking skin, and bleeding on her face.
She said: 'There's days I can't leave the house or the bed because of how debilitating it is. It's hell on earth. TSW has absolutely ruined my life. I've had times I've thought there's no way out of this. You're trapped inside your own body.'
Everyday Struggles
Holli's skin is so tight she feels like she is wearing a shell. Talking or eating causes oozing and bleeding. She sometimes can only drink smoothies or soup through a straw. She vacuums daily to remove 'huge flakes' of skin. Her face sticks to the pillow, and she sleeps upright to avoid weeping and blood on her pillowcases, which she must wash daily.
She shared her ordeal on TikTok, posting a video contrasting her former appearance with her current crusty sores, captioned: 'I was actually quite gorgeous before TSW though I didn't appreciate it at the time.'
Diagnosis and Awareness
Holli visited her GP in March 2024 fearing steroid dependency but claims she was dismissed. After months of being overlooked by GPs and dermatologists, she was finally diagnosed with TSW in March 2026. She now hopes to spread awareness about the dangers of steroid creams and has set up a GoFundMe for Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) therapy, a regenerative treatment for TSW.
She said: 'I actually don't even think GPs should be able to prescribe steroid creams. I want them off the shelves, they're poison and ruining people's lives.' She also calls for better regulation and support for TSW sufferers.
Medical Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises using the least potent steroid for the shortest duration needed and warns that TSW can occur with long-term use. Prescribers are urged to inform patients of this risk.
