￩ Phoenix Tshirts
3 June 2025 in Illustration, General waffle
A few years ago, Superdoodle’s co-founder Katy Ross developed a debilitating condition called Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).
TSW – also known as Red Skin Syndrome – is an iatrogenic condition caused by the prolonged use of corticosteroids. These synthetic steroid hormones are commonly prescribed and sold over the counter in the UK to treat skin conditions like eczema.
In some cases, however, corticosteroid use can lead to a severe reaction, with symptoms including intense burning, oozing rashes, intense flaking, nerve pain, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, and difficulty regulating body temperature – often leaving sufferers housebound for months or years.
Although TSW has been documented since the late 1970s, it was in 2021 when the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) formally recognised TSW as a condition distinct from eczema and added warnings to topical steroid patient leaflets. They are now in the process of updating product labelling to indicate potency more clearly.
Despite these steps, awareness among medical professionals remains alarmingly low. Most doctors and dermatologists are not trained to recognise TSW, and there are no agreed diagnostic criteria. As a result, TSW is frequently misdiagnosed as severe or worsening eczema, leading to inappropriate treatment and worsening patient outcomes.
Scratch That is the UK’s first patient-led advocacy group for TSW. They work hard to raise awareness and provide vital information and support. To help fund their website and outreach efforts, Katy has teamed up with fellow TSW advocates Briana, Jess, and Kirsty to create something special: a T-shirt design that symbolises strength, resilience, and hope.
Superdoodle illustrator Billmund has created a striking design for the campaign – a phoenix rising from the flames.
You can now order:
✨ Adult short sleeve tees (black and white)
✨ Adult long sleeve tees (black and white)
✨ Adult sweaters (black)
✨ Children’s tees (black and white)
Any funds raised above our target to supporting Scratch That will be donated to ITSAN, the international TSW charity supporting the global community.
100% of profits will go to these two wonderful charities, so as well as looking good, you’ll be standing with the TSW community, and we really love you for that.
