Background. Glucocorticosteroids (GCS) have been successfully used since the discovery of hydrocortisone and remain the most commonly used group of drugs included in the treatment plans of patients with skin pathology. This is attributable to their ability to effectively influence both the pathogenetic mechanisms and the symptoms of skin diseases. For the effective and safe use of topical and systemic corticosteroids, it is necessary to comply with the indications and rules for their use. However, cases of irrational prescription or uncontrolled use of GCS are not uncommon, which significantly increases the risk of developing local and systemic side effects.
Description of a series of clinical cases. The article presents clinical observations of severe side effects of long-term self-treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids that developed in patients aged 66 and 56 years. Long-term irrational topical use of betamethasone dipropionate by one of the patients and the use of 2.0 ml of corticosteroids for injection by another – a combination of the depot form (betamethasone sodium phosphate 2.63 mg) and the fast-acting form (betamethasone dipropionate 6.43 mg) – led to the formation of exogenous Cushing’s syndrome, infectious and other complications.
Conclusion. Violation of the rules for the use of GCS, as well as self-medication, lead to a high risk of developing both local and general side effects.

Keywords: telangiectasias, skin atrophy, glucocorticoids, side effects