How to Tell if a Kid is on Steroids

Anabolic and corticosteroids are two classifications for steroid drugs. Corticosteroids help people suffering with asthma, body inflammations and lupus. Anabolic steroids cause muscle growth. Athletes take the anabolic to enhance their abilities. For some people, to hit a baseball farther, jump higher, run faster and build a muscular body outweighs the damaging consequences. This drug is abused by both adults and kids and is illegal to obtain without a prescription.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Observe out of the ordinary mood swings in your kid. Regard erratic behavior, nervousness, depression, trembling and aggressiveness as possibly related to steroid abuse.
2. Detect changes in facial and body skin complexion. Acne that worsens signals potential use and yellowing in the eyes and skin indicates a side effect of jaundice. Girls many sometimes grow facial hair through overuse.
3. Look for stretch marks accompanied with greasy skin conditions. It's common for people on steroids to switch between periods of taking the drug and avoiding it. This on-off use stretches and contracts the skin.
4. Notice your kid's muscle size for any sudden increases in bulk. Weight lifting causes muscular growth over time; however, steroid abuse quickens the process and enhances the thickness of the muscles.
5. Pay attention to sudden increases in weight and development of breasts for boys. Girls sometimes experience breast reduction.
6. Examine feet, ankles and joints for swelling or complaints about aching pains.
7. Watch for irregular menstrual cycles and a deepening voice in girls.

Tips & Warnings

• Let your family doctor test for steroid abuse. The drug is taken orally and by injections. A doctor can detect oral steroids weeks after taking it and several months after an injection.