Assessing the relationship between topical corticosteroid phobia and susceptibility to misinformation in patients with atopic dermatitis.

While topical corticosteroids (TCSs) are safe and effective therapies for atopic dermatitis (AD), poor treatment adherence is a hurdle to successful management. Non-adherence can be due to TCS phobia, characterized by negative patient feelings and beliefs towards TCSs. The Topical Corticosteroid Phobia (TOPICOP) scale can measure TCS phobia in AD patients, but potential relationships with personality characteristics that may facilitate fears of TCSs, such as susceptibility to misinformation, are not well characterized.