Cha’rai is a joyful, curious, and loving 9-year-old girl whose life changed completely in May 2023 when she developed Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), a condition and reaction that can happen when someone stops or reduces long‑term use of topical steroid creams or ointments, usually prescribed for eczema or other skin conditions. It is a rare condition that many people don't understand.

She’s been living with constant symptoms, including hair loss, chronic insomnia, intensely itchy and swollen skin that sometimes oozes and bleeds, along with deep emotional scars and PTSD from everything she’s been going through. Because of her condition, Cha’rai has had to leave school permanently, step away from the modelling she loved, and has lost many friendships. She’s become homebound and unable to socialise or enjoy her childhood in the way other children her age can. Due to the severity of her condition, her mum has had to give up her work for the past two years to become her full-time carer.

Despite her challenges, Cha’rai still tries to shine, with a spirited and creative energy. She loves to dance, sing, and express herself, even while battling the constant urge to scratch her skin and the emotional weight of her illness. She has shown incredible bravery and resilience and is supported by her family and friends, who have helped care for her and offered moments of normalcy and love.

We’d like to share that Cha’rai has already undergone numerous treatments, including four months of phototherapy, dietary changes, and consultations with NHS specialists, homeopaths, and TSW experts here in the UK. Unfortunately, the options available have been limited, especially for children. After extensive research and hearing from other TSW survivors, we found the CAP (Cold Atmospheric Plasma) Clinic, TSW Solution in Thailand. A world leader with 15 years’ experience treating TSW patients, including children.

This is the only clinic we’ve found that treats paediatric TSW using the CAP machine, and it’s given us real hope for healing where nothing else has. To make this possible, we need to raise £30,000 to cover treatment, flights, accommodation, transportation, visas, food, and aftercare for a planned six-month stay in Thailand. Cha’rai will be accompanied by her mum and dad, who will be there to support her throughout this journey.

TSW is not currently recognised as a disease or condition in the UK or globally, which means effective treatments aren’t readily available here. Although there is a UK clinic with a CAP (Cold Atmospheric Plasma) machine, they do not treat children. Travelling to the specialist clinic in Thailand has become urgent, as it offers the best hope for Cha’rai’s recovery and a chance for her to return to a happy, healthy childhood.

When we asked Cha’rai about her hopes for the future, she shared that she simply wants to be free from the constant pain and symptoms of TSW. She wants to eat whatever she likes, dance and do gymnastics, return to modelling, go to performing arts school like her big brother, have playdates and cinema trips with friends, enjoy swimming at the beach, and eventually go back to school.

We're so grateful for any support you can offer toward this treatment, it will genuinely change Cha’rai’s life. Every donation brings hope and healing a little bit closer.

Thank you so much,

Tasha/Cloron

You can find more details on CAP Clinic TSW Solution Thailand (@thailandcapcommunity on Instagram). More information on TSW at scratchthat.org.uk