Fluocinolone Acetonide is used to treat a variety of inflammatory skin disorders such as;
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Scalp psoriasis
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this prescription. This medicine is a sterile non-bioerodible intravitreal implant that contains 0.18 mg of Fluocinolone Acetonide.
Seborrheic dermatitis
This condition causes scaly patches, red skin, and stubborn dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis may go away without treatment or may need many repeated treatments before the symptoms go away. Daily cleansing with gentle soap and shampoo can help reduce oiliness and dead skin build-up. Seborrheic dermatitis signs and symptoms may include:
- Itching
- Red skin
- Skin flakes on your hair, scalp, beard, eyebrows, or mustache
- Patches of greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales
The signs and symptoms may be more severe if you’re stressed and they tend to flare in cold or dry seasons.
Scalp psoriasis
This happens when your immune system sends faulty signals and skin cells grow too quickly. These pile up in red patches often with silvery scales. You can’t catch scalp psoriasis from someone else who has it. It’s not contagious. It’s hereditary. It’s something that’s passed along in your family’s genes. Most people who get psoriasis have at least one person in their family with the disease.
Many people who are predisposed to psoriasis may be free of symptoms for years until the disease is triggered by some environmental factors. Common psoriasis triggers include:
- Stress
- Weather especially cold, dry conditions
- Infections such as strep throat or skin infections
- Injury to the skin such as a bug bite, a cut or scrape, or a severe sunburn
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
- Rapid withdrawal of oral or systemic corticosteroids
- Certain medications including lithium, antimalarial drugs, and high blood pressure medications
Anyone can develop this type of condition. About a third of instances begin in the pediatric years. These factors can increase your risk:
Family history
The condition runs in families. Having one parent with psoriasis increases your risk of getting the disease and having two parents with psoriasis increases your risk even more.
Stress
Stress can impact your immune system. High-stress levels may increase your risk of psoriasis.
Smoking
Smoking tobacco not only increases your risk of psoriasis but also may increase the severity of the disease. Smoking may also play a role in the initial development of your condition.
How It Works
Fluocinolone Acetonide is a type of medicine called a topical corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are drugs used to lessen inflammation. Inflammation of skin occurs as a result of irritation of the skin. It is caused also by the release of several substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen and result in the irritated area. When this medicine is applied, it acts inside the skin cells to reduce redness, swelling, and itch.
How To Use
Fluocinolone Acetonide is for external use only. It should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s). Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying for the medicine. Avoid getting it in the eyes or contact with the inside of the nose or mouth. If your doctor has advised you to use dressings with this medicine, the skin should be cleansed before applying the cream under a fresh dressing.
If used in children, this medicine should not be used for longer than five days or on the face. You should not use airtight dressings to cover the area treated. Be aware that children’s nappies can also act as an airtight dressing. It can also increase the absorption of the medicine. Children being treated with this medicine should be reviewed by the doctor at least once a week.
If this medicine is used on the face, wherever possible it should not be used for longer than five days. You should not use airtight dressings to cover the area treated. If you think the area of skin you are treating has become infected, you should stop using Fluocinolone Acetonide and consult your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use fluocinolone topical exactly as directed. Do not apply more or less of it or apply it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not apply it to other areas of your body or wrap or use it to treat other skin conditions unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Side Effects
Common side effects:
- Acne
- Change in skin color
- Redness, itching, burning, irritation, or drying of the skin
- Small white or red bumps on the skin
- Bruising or shiny skin
If you have any of the following, call your doctor right away:
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe skin rash
- Swelling, redness, or other signs of skin infection where the medicine is applied
Things To Remember
- This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings, or for prolonged periods. Consult your doctor for further information.
- Certain medicines should not be used during breastfeeding or pregnancy. However, other medicines may be safely used in breastfeeding or pregnancy providing the benefits to the mother outweighs the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This should also not be used during breastfeeding. If it is prescribed by your doctor, do not use it on large areas of the skin. If it is applied to the breasts, it should be washed off carefully before breastfeeding and then reapplied afterward.
- Do not let anyone else use this medication.
- You must inform your doctor about the medications you are taking including vitamins, minerals, or food supplements.
- Keep this out of sight and reach of children.
- Store at room temperature and away from excess heat/moisture. do not freeze this medicine.
