Medicine for Your Skin: Triamcinolone Acetonide
A Topical Medication to Treat Itching and Inflammation
Oct 19, 2009
Topical corticosteroids are beneficial in the treatment dermatological ailments. These types of corticosteroids are generally prescribed to provide relief from inflammation and itching. Triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic steroid. The exact mechanisms of corticosteroids are unknown, but they become bound to plasma proteins after they are absorbed through the skin.
Uses for Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide
Triamcinolone acetonide is used when treating various skin afflictions. According to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, triamcinolone can be used to treat “…itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation,…” and other skin conditions. It can also be used for mouth sores.
How Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide is Supplied
The topical corticosteroid, triamcinolone acetonide is typically distributed in a cream, a lotion or an ointment in concentrations of 0.025% to 0.1% .This means that a 0.1% cream will have one milligram of triamcinolone acetonide per one gram of inactive ingredients that comprise the cream. It is also supplied in a dental paste where it can be applied within the mouth to relive oral irritations.
Some brand names for triamcinolone acetonide are:
- Kenalog
- Aristocort
- Flutex
- Triacet
Some Side Effects
Various side effects are possible when using products containing triamcinolone acetonide, especially when used with air tight dressings. Reactions that may occur are: burning, itching, dryness, folliculitis and hypertrichosis, where folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicle and hypertrichosis is excessive hair. Other skin conditions and secondary infections are also possible.
Prolonged use of triamcinolone acetonide and/or larger concentrations of corticosteroids can cause systemic absorption and lead to a reversible condition called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression. This may lead to hormonal problems, but the condition should clear up when use of triamcinolone acetonide is discontinued. Other side effects that may occur from prolonged use are Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia and glucosuria.
Precautions When Using Corticosteroids
Though no studies have proven or disproved the effects of corticosteroids on pregnant women, they are advised to use caution since the possibility exists that the steroid might reach the fetus. Women nursing infants should use the same caution.
Children may be more susceptible to HPA axis suppression and Cushing’s syndrome since their body weight is so much lower than adults. The least amount of steroid that is effective should be used with children. Air-tight dressings should also be avoided when using corticosteroids with children.
People with allergies to corticosteroids should use caution with topical triamcinolone acetonide and contact with the eyes should be avoided.
As with all prescription medication, people should use them as directed by their doctor.
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