About ITSAN

The International Topical Steroid Awareness Network is a nonprofit charity formed to raise awareness about a condition called Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome, also known as Red Skin Syndrome or Topical Steroid Addiction.

ITSAN is the only 501(c)(3) non-profit charity serving the global TSW Syndrome community as a resource for the individual, the caregiver, and the healthcare provider. ITSAN has grown into a thriving world-wide online community where members comfort, share, and support one another.

Mission

To raise awareness of Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome and support all affected individuals.

Goal

Prevention, early detection, accurate diagnosis, and proper treatment of Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome.

History

ITSAN owes its very existence to Dr. Marvin Rapaport, Co-Founder of ITSAN, renowned Beverly Hills dermatologist, whistleblower, and Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Medicine at UCLA. As the first physician to pioneer the recognition and treatment of Topical Steroid Addiction (TSA) and Red Skin Syndrome (RSS), also known as Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS), his groundbreaking research has inspired physicians worldwide — from Japan to India to the UK — to address the harm caused by long-term steroid use. As ITSAN’s first Medical Advisor and Board member, his vision, courage, and compassion transformed a fledgling idea into a global movement for change.

Kelly Palace, Co-Founder of ITSAN and a former patient of Dr. Rapaport, knows this battle firsthand. A prescription for eczema led to years of steroid dependence and withdrawal, ultimately inspiring her to launch AddictedSkin.org in 2009 to share her story and Dr. Rapaport’s research and message. The site quickly became a lifeline for others enduring TSA/RSS/TSWS and evolved into ITSAN.org. In February 2012, Palace and Dr. Rapaport secured 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for ITSAN — now the leading nonprofit in the world dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of topical steroid misuse, while also providing a safe place for those afflicted with Topical Steroid Addiction/Topical Withdrawal Syndrome to heal and advocate for change.

The full origin story of ITSAN, with more on Dr. Rapaport, the movement, and its history, is chronicled in Palace’s book False Cure, available on Amazon.

ITSAN is a Member in Good Standing of the Coalition of Skin Diseases

ITSAN is a Member of the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations

ITSAN is a Member of Derma Care Access Network

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Meet Our Team

ITSAN Board of Directors

Kelly Barta
President

Kelly Barta began working with ITSAN as a member of the Board of Directors in 2016 while still recovering from TSW, an experience which left her bed-ridden for 1 ½ years and healing for several more. The unspeakable suffering, isolation, and lack of medical awareness and support for those going through TSW drove Kelly into the world of advocacy. Her passion to be a voice for the voiceless has led her to bring awareness to the great needs of this underserved community in academic, medical, regulatory and political arenas. Kelly published her book To Eczema, with Love as a memoir, a guide for patients and families dealing with eczema and TSW, and a call to action. Her hope is that in the near future the potential side effects of overexposure to steroids will become household knowledge, along with being well defined, understood, and prevented by our medical professionals. Above all, she hopes that TSW will finally become a thing of the past!

Sarat Pothuri
Member at Large

Sarat Pothuri joined the ITSAN Board of Directors in 2025, inspired by her deeply personal experience navigating her daughter’s struggle with Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) Syndrome. During this challenging journey, her daughter faced immense physical and emotional hurdles, spending months in recovery and isolation. Sarat found strength and guidance through ITSAN’s resources and the global TSW community, which became a lifeline of hope and resilience. Now, she is determined to pay it forward by advocating for TSW awareness and empowering others through social media engagement and support, offering a message of hope and healing to those in need.

Professionally, Sarat is part of an innovative healthcare platform focused on holistic healing for chronic conditions. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and twin children, drawing inspiration from her family as she continues her mission to support others in their healing journeys.

Nick Gellar
Treasurer

Nick Geller is an experienced operations and project management professional with over 25 years in financial operations. He has a strong background in optimizing workflows, implementing efficient systems, and improving organizational processes. In 2012, Nick faced the life-altering challenges of Topical Steroid Withdrawal firsthand, giving him a deep understanding of the physical and emotional toll it can take. His personal experience drives his commitment to supporting ITSAN’s mission, helping to raise awareness and provide resources for others navigating this difficult journey.

Natalie Lawton, Secretary

Natalie Lawton joined the ITSAN Board of Directors in 2021 while still caring for her 20-year-old daughter recovering from Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome. She felt strongly drawn to serving this community as she watched her daughter’s life completely turn upside down due to this excruciating syndrome. Natalie is focused on spreading awareness of TSW to the Eczema community, enhancing resources for those needing guidance as well as maintaining the ITSAN support group so that every member has a safe space to heal. She is determined to alleviate the unnecessary suffering caused by this preventable condition in the name of her daughter and every other person so unnecessarily affected.

Natalie is a certified Health Coach with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a background in Human Resources and Corporate Operations. In her spare time, she loves to travel to visit her kids in college, watch lacrosse and play pickleball.

Tom Drysdale
Member at Large

Tom Drysdale, as of early 2025, is a little over 4 years into his TSW journey, experiencing first-hand the life-changing consequences of this debilitating condition. Like so many, he discovered the truth about the damage topical steroids had done to his system when he came across ITSAN online. Having spent much of the first year bedridden and subsequent years navigating the inevitable flare-ups and setbacks that are so common with TSW – he is in a much better place now, and remains optimistic he will experience a complete recovery in the fullness of time.

Tom believes that, although you can’t always choose what happens to you, you can choose how you respond. With a background in marketing and supporter engagement in the charity sector, he has joined the Board of Directors to help ITSAN shape the communication strategy we need to rally our community and amplify our message.

ITSAN Patient Registry

Kathryn Tullos, RN

Kathryn Tullos is a Registered Nurse from Houston, Texas with a degree in Communications. She was a bedside nurse in pediatrics for 7 years, before taking a “break” to stay home with her 4 kids. In mid-2013, her son suffered severely from Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS) for 18 months, due to steroid creams prescribed for his eczema. Kathryn used the experience with her son and her passion for research to throw herself into patient advocacy, and try to help others navigate this often misunderstood iatrogenic disease. She joined the ITSAN board in 2015, helped write and relaunch the ITSAN website, and eventually became Executive Director. She stepped down briefly in 2018, but she couldn’t stay away for long. Kathryn returned to ITSAN in October 2019 as President and CEO. Kathryn’s main goals in her advocacy with ITSAN are: 1) petition for labeling changes on the drug insert for topical corticosteroids, and 2) to connect patients with doctors who understand how to diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent this debilitating disease. Though it may be a long road, she takes courage in the words of her Great Aunt Ruth Ann, “My dear, you are assertive.” In her free time she loves to go on dates with her husband, sing show tunes with her kids, Netflix binge, and memorize the Hamilton soundtrack.

ITSAN Advisory Council

The Advisory Council of ITSAN serves as a body of trusted experts, stakeholders, and supporters who provide strategic advice, professional insight, and advocacy support to advance the organization’s mission to raise awareness and support individuals affected by Topical Steroid Addiction and Withdrawal (TSA/TSW). The Advisory Council is a non-governing, non-voting body. Members do not have fiduciary responsibilities and do not participate in official organizational governance or decision-making.

Deanna Baxam

Deanna Baxam is Vice President and General Counsel of Premier Inc., managing supply chain legal support for a national group purchasing organization with a membership of 4300+ hospitals and 325,000+ other healthcare providers. In this role, she recommends strategy for complex supplier and customer relationships; leads a high-functioning team of experienced attorneys; and provides counsel to company leaders on law and government agency trends that affect healthcare businesses.

Kristin Fletcher

Kristin Fletcher is the Americorps Project Conserve Program Coordinator for Conserving Carolina. She is experienced in nonprofit programming and management, student development and leadership, and public service. Kristin is also currently experiencing TSW, bringing the unique perspective of someone navigating the process, which is the center of ITSAN’s work. Her generous spirit, faith and positivity is an extraordinary gift to the eczema and TSW communities.

Julia Labaton

Julia Labaton is a marketing communications executive and founder of RED PR, a boutique, award-winning agency based in NYC that specializes in beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle brands. For 25+ years, she has helped companies grow by shaping how the world sees them—through smart strategy, standout storytelling, and the right mix of media, content, and partnerships. With a mission to do meaningful and creative work with brands she believe in and people she respects, RED’s campaigns build reputation and strategic brand moments that actually make people care. Her work has landed in Vogue, The New York Times, Allure, and the feeds of top creators—not just for the exposure, but for the impact.

George Moncrieff, FRCP, FRCGP, DPD, DRCOG, DCH

George Moncrieff has 40 years of experience in Primary Care and is past trainer in General Practice and undergraduate tutor at Oxford University and The Royal Free Hospital. He has 22 years special interest in Dermatology, serving as past Chair Dermatology Council for England, past Curriculum Guardian for Dermatology for RCGP, past examiner for Cardiff Diploma in Practical Dermatology and senior examiner for DCH RCP. George is an experienced chairperson and in public speaking / teaching with a history of working in the healthcare industry for 42 years.

Ian A. Myles, MD, MPH

Dr. Ian Myles is Principal Investigator, Epithelial Therapeutics Unit, at NIH/NIAID and Chief Medical Research Officer, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. He specializes in Allergy, Immunology and Internal Medicine, providing direct clinical care to patients at NIH Clinical Center. In 2011, Dr. Myles became a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. LCDR Myles has supported several USPHS missions, from the Ebola virus vaccine trial in West Africa to congressional Gold Medal Ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol. In 2013, he was awarded a position as an assistant clinical investigator in the NIAID Transition Program in Clinical Research. In 2018, Dr. Myles became the head of the newly formed Epithelial Therapeutics Unit to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a topical, live bacterial treatment for atopic dermatitis (eczema). He is currently a participant in the Lasker Clinical ResearchScholars and Distinguished Scholars programs.

Kelly Palace

Kelly Palace is the co-founder of ITSAN and has been a tireless advocate for Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) awareness since 2009. During her own long and painful healing journey, she launched AddictedSkin.com in 2009, which grew into an online community and later evolved into ITSAN. Under her leadership, ITSAN gained nonprofit status in 2012, joined the Coalition of Skin Diseases in 2014, and saw the National Eczema Association launch a task force on TSW that same year. During her tenure, she helped spearhead awareness campaigns, build social support sites, and personally responded to hundreds of emails from around the world.

Palace served as ITSAN President until 2015, when she left the board but continued to support ITSAN behind the scenes while also recovering from breast cancer and caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. Today, she remains active on ITSAN’s Advisory Council, contributing her expertise in fundraising and outreach. She is an award-winning podcaster and author of both Take Your Mark, LEAD! and ITSAN origin story, False Cure. Her husband, Mark, of 20 years, is also a fervent supporter of ITSAN—attending Capitol Hill advocacy trips and AAD meetings, and standing by Kelly through the darkest days of her TSW journey.

Timothy Smith

Timothy Smith is President at Foretop and has three decades of experience in intergovernmental and health policy; non-profit, association, and project management; government affairs planning, execution, and communications; programmatic analysis; and collaborative decision making. He is a published author in intergovernmental program management and knowledgeable in healthcare delivery paradigms, with practical experience on several non-profit and government commissions and boards.

ITSAN Medical Advisory Board

The ITSAN Medical Advisory Board (MAB) is composed of volunteer medical, scientific, and healthcare professionals with expertise relevant to Topical Steroid Addiction and Withdrawal (TSA/TSW) Syndrome and related dermatological, pediatric, and patient care issues. The MAB provides ITSAN with evidence-based, up-to-date medical guidance to support its mission of raising awareness, advocating for patients, and providing resources to those affected by TSW Syndrome. The MAB helps ensure the accuracy and credibility of ITSAN’s educational, advocacy, and outreach efforts.

Sandipan Dhar, MD, DNB

Dr. Sandipan Dhar is a renowned Pediatric Dermatologist & Atopic Dermatitis researcher of National & International repute. He works as the Professor and Head of the Department of Dermatology at the Institute of Child Health and is the Senior Visiting Consultant at AMRI Hospitals in Kolkata.

He is currently the President of the Indian Society for Pediatric Dermatology (ISPD), and is one of the key persons for establishing the subspecialty “Pediatric Dermatology” in India. Dr. Dhar also serves as the editor-in-chief for the Indian Journal of Pediatric Dermatology (IJPD), and is a member of the editorial board of several journals in Dermatology and Pediatric Dermatology. He also serves as a Council Member of the International Eczema Council.

Dr. Dhar has published more than 220 scientific papers in various indexed journals of which more than 100 papers are on Pediatric Dermatology and 50 papers on Atopic Dermatitis. His papers have been abstracted and quoted in Year Books of Dermatology, various standard text books of Dermatology & Pediatric Dermatology. He has authored “Colour Atlas and Synopsis of Paediatric Dermatology”, the first book on Pediatric Dermatology from India. Dr. Dhar is one of the few Indian Dermatologists to contribute chapters in various Dermatology Text Books read by millions of students and post-graduate researchers across the world. He is a reviewer in several Dermatology journals published from the UK and the USA.

His fields of interest are Pediatric Dermatology, Atopic Dermatitis, Urticaria, and adverse cutaneous drug eruptions.

Koushik Lahiri, MBBS, DVD, FRCP

Dr. Koushik Lahiri is a Senior Consultant Dermatologist of Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in Kolkata, India and the Honorary Director of WIZDERM. He also serves as Vice President of the International Society of Dermatology, is a Member of IADVL and ACSI, Fellow of IADVL Academy of Dermatology, International Fellow of American Academy of Dermatology, Foundation Fellow of Asian Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and member of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. He is also a Fellow of all three Royal College of England, London, Glasgow and Edinburg.

Dr. Lahiri has authored the book, A Treatise on Topical Corticosteroids in Dermatology, and has championed the fight against the abuse and misuse of topical steroids in his country of India. He most recently was honored by the American Academy of Dermatology with their prestigious “Members Making a Difference Award” for his work, and 14 year long battle, in successfully having OTC topical steroids banned by India’s Ministry of Health.

Peter Lio, MD, FAAD

Dr. Peter Lio is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology & Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an adjunct Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Lio received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed his internship in Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, and his Dermatology training at Harvard where he served as Chief Resident in Dermatology. While at Harvard, he received formal training in acupuncture. Dr. Lio is the founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center and a founding partner of Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago. He serves as a board member and scientific advisory committee member emeritus for the National Eczema Association. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology’s Atopic Dermatitis Expert Resource Group, a Councilor for the International Eczema Council, and is a founding faculty member of the Integrative Dermatology Certificate Program. He has over 400 publications and 4 textbooks.

George Moncrieff, FRCP, FRCGP, DPD, DRCOG, DCH

Dr. George Moncrieff has 40 years of experience in Primary Care and is past trainer in General Practice and undergraduate tutor at Oxford University and The Royal Free Hospital. He has 22 years special interest in Dermatology, serving as past Chair Dermatology Council for England, past Curriculum Guardian for Dermatology for RCGP, past examiner for Cardiff Diploma in Practical Dermatology and senior examiner for DCH RCP. George is an experienced chairperson and in public speaking / teaching with a history of working in the healthcare industry for 42 years.

Marcello Monti

Dr. Marcello Monti is a former Professor of Dermatology at the University of Milan, Italy of which he now serves as Consultant Dermatologist.

He graduated from University of Pavia, School of medicine in 1977 and completed his internship and residency in Dermatology from University of Milan in 1980. He later completed his internship and residency in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases from the University of Pavia in 1982.

Early on in his career he was Clinical Researcher, then Clinical Associate Professor in Dermatology at University of Milan where he taught Clinical Dermatology in medical courses of San Raffaele Hospital, Sacco Hospital and Humanitas Clinical Institute.

During his long career serving as Chief Dermatologist in many Hospitals of Milan, he continued to improve his diagnostic capabilities and refine his therapeutic solutions focusing on innovative protocols for the treatment of the most common dermatological pathologies.

Martin Smith, MD

Dr. Martin Smith is a Cleveland Clinic–trained, double board-certified Allergist and Immunologist who focuses his clinical work on allergic skin conditions including eczema, hives, contact dermatitis, and sensitivities to personal care products. A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Smith’s work has been featured in outlets such as Forbes, NBC, Women’s Health, and Marie Claire. He is also the founder of Untoxicated, a skincare brand designed specifically for people with sensitive skin and eczema, formulated without 128 of the most common allergens found in skincare.

Testimonials

ITSAN really deserves more than 5 stars, as the organization to our family means more than I could ever write here. Because of ITSAN, its board members and an entire community of fellow sufferers, we can breathe again and we have watched life come back into our son. Without this wonderful organization. we would still be sinking in the unknown and may have even lost our precious son, as he was in renal failure last year because of the spiral of his health due to the use of topical steroids. WE LOVE ITSAN!

StephanieMom

Thanks to my friends & family, ITSAN, the Facebook support groups and all other sufferers of topical steroid withdrawal for all their encouragement and support over the course of my withdrawal. I don’t think I could have made it without you!

GaryITSAN member

I found this website when I was trying to find answers to why I was having chronic skin problems (that were completely new to me) after using topical steroids for five months–as prescribed by a dermatologist. This is a wonderful website full of important information and tremendous support from people who are caring and knowledgeable. From what I can see, with very little money, they do a tremendous amount. This organization is well worth supporting in any way you can!

Jul39ITSAN member

This organization helped me through the most challenging, darkest hours of my life. I don’t know how I would have made it through the healing process without the support of the founders and members, as well as the resources this network provides.

Lorry

ITSAN has been a lifeline for me and I could never thank this wonderful organization enough for everything it has done for me and all the TSW sufferers out there.

Anonymous member

ITSAN has helped my sister greatly. She has been suffering from topical steroid withdrawal for about two years and the support of the community has given her the strength to carry on many times when she was at her wits end.

Royce

Incredible charity providing support, resources and awareness to those suffering from TSW. As someone who has been dealing with this condition for over 3 years, ITSAN and its network of others going through the same thing really has been a life saver, I will forever be grateful to ITSAN.

Anonymous member

ITSAN is an important and incredibly helpful organisation which raises awareness, and offers support to people recovering from ‘eczema’ caused by topical steroid creams. ITSAN was my support system when I was in hell with nowhere else to go, there is a forum to vent and discuss the experience you are having, and it makes it all a little easier to bear. I would give ITSAN 5 stars for raising awareness, and another 5 stars for the advice and support offered by the helpful, hopeful, and supportive community.

Amy_260

This organization saved my daughter from on-going immense suffering—something umpteen doctors couldn’t do. My daughter is living life to the fullest now, no longer prisoner in her own skin. Forever grateful for their dedication to helping others and raising awareness about Red Skin Syndrome caused by topical steroids. Their website is informative and support groups invaluable— a true life saver. Thank you!

Kristina V.1

ITSAN saved my son’s life and skin! We would have been lost without them! Thank you ITSAN!

Loren M.

Thank God literally. If it weren’t for ITSAN we would still be living a nightmare. I am ever so grateful for this nonprofit. It was an answer to my prayers. Without you we would still be in the trenches fighting this war without ammunition. God Bless.

Donna Lyons R.

About ITSAN

Mission

Goal