Triamcinolone Eczema Treatment
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is characterized by itchy, oozing and scaling eruptions on the skin. Symptoms can flare up without apparent reason or be associated with a trigger, such as sweat, heat, detergents, body soaps, wool or the dryness of winter. With chronic eczema, lesions can be colonized by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Depending on location and severity, the condition can be considerably painful or distressing. Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid drug commonly prescribed to treat eczema.
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Dosage and Administration
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Corticosteroids are classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by their potency. Triamcinolone is a medium to high potency corticosteroid and manufactured in concentrations of 0.025 percent, 0.1 percent and 0.5 percent. The drug is sold in topical ointment, topical cream and powder forms. For eczema treatment, physicians usually recommend application to the affected areas in a thin layer two to four times daily, to relieve itching and burning and decrease inflammation.
Care Plan
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Triamcinolone eczema treatment should be part of a larger eczema care plan involving special bath techniques and lotions. Bathing should be limited to once a day, with soap applied only to the face, armpits and groin because it can irritate or dry the skin. After bathing, the skin should be patted dry. Triamcinolone should be applied to the affected areas before a moisturizer is used. Physicians may recommend special soaps and lotions, which can be more expensive than ordinary brands.
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Side Effects
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Triamcinolone can have adverse effects. Unwanted side-effects include bruising, fragile skin, red or purple areas, ulcers, stretch marks, thinning skin and visible blood vessels, increased risk of infection and aggravation of existing skin infectious. The risk of side-effects increases as the potency of the steroid increases. Limiting continuous use of triamcinolone to three month can reduce the risk of side effects.
Warning
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Triamcinolone should not be applied to the face, groin or body folds, unless directed by a physician. These areas of the body tend to absorb more of the drug, which increases the risk of adverse side effects.
Considerations in Children
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If an infant with moderate to severe eczema fails to respond to steroid treatments such as Triamcinolone, food allergies should be investigated. Elimination diets may resolve the eczema completely or at least enable the eczema to be controlled with topical preparations. Delaying the introduction of solid foods and using hypoallergenic or hydrolyzed baby formulas may minimize allergies and eczema in babies.
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