Diflucortolone for severe inflammatory skin conditions

About diflucortolone

Diflucortolone is classed as a potent topical corticosteroid. Topical corticosteroids are also referred to as topical steroids. Topical steroids are used in addition to moisturisers (emollients) for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema e dermatite. A topical steroid is used when patches of eczema or dermatitis flare up. Diflucortolone relieves the symptoms of a flare-up by reducing inflammation, itching and redness. It is not a cure for the condition, but it will help to relieve the symptoms.

Specialist skin doctors may on occasion prescribe a short course of diflucortolone for the treatment of psoriasis, although it is not generally recommended for this skin condition. Diflucortolone is not recommended for use in children, although again, it may be prescribed for a child by a specialist doctor under certain circumstances.

Diflucortolone is available as a number of different preparations. It is likely you will be prescribed a cream if the affected areas of your skin are moist or weeping, or an ointment if your skin is dry.

There are two strengths of diflucortolone. Preparations containing 0.1% diflucortolone (Nerisone®) are potent topical steroids, and the higher strength which contains 0.3% diflucortolone (Nerisone Forte®) is classed as a very potent topical steroid. You will have been given the higher strength to use if your flare-up has not responded to a lower-strength steroid cream. As soon as your symptoms improve, the strength of your steroid cream/ointment will be reduced.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using diflucortolone it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se hai delle aree di pelle infetta.

• Se hai la rosacea o l'acne.

• Se sei incinta o stai allattando.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a una preparazione per la pelle.

• Prima di iniziare a utilizzare la preparazione, leggi il foglietto illustrativo stampato dal produttore all'interno della confezione. Ti fornirà ulteriori informazioni sugli steroidi topici e ti fornirà un elenco completo degli effetti collaterali che potresti riscontrare utilizzandoli.

• Apply a small amount to the areas of skin which are inflamed. Then gently rub it into the skin until it has disappeared. Do not use diflucortolone on any open sores or areas of infected skin.

• La quantità di steroide topico che dovresti applicare è comunemente misurata in unità di punta delle dita (FTU). Un FTU è la quantità di crema o unguento che viene spremuta lungo la punta del dito di un adulto (cioè, dalla fine del dito alla prima piega del dito). Come guida, un FTU è sufficiente per coprire un'area due volte la dimensione di una mano adulta. Il tuo medico ti darà un'idea di quanti FTU avrai bisogno per coprire l'area della tua pelle che è interessata.

• Your doctor will tell you how often to apply diflucortolone. It must not be applied more than twice a day, and once a day is often sufficient.

• Se stai usando più di un corticosteroide topico, assicurati di sapere quando e dove usare ciascuno. Se hai dubbi, consulta il tuo medico o chiedi ulteriori consigli al tuo farmacista.

• After you have applied diflucortolone, remember to wash your hands (unless your hands are the treated area).

• If you are using diflucortolone for psoriasis, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions carefully. It should not be used for large areas of psoriasis or for long periods of time, as these can cause your symptoms to flare up again afterwards.

• Diflucortolone is not suitable for use in children unless it is has been advised by a skin specialist. This is because children are particularly susceptible to side-effects from strong topical steroids. The main concern is for children who need frequent courses, as it can have an effect on their growth and this will need to be monitored. If your child has been prescribed diflucortolone, follow the directions you have been given very carefully, and do not use it for longer than you have been told to. As a general rule, it should not be used for more than five days in children.

• If you are using a moisturiser along with this preparation, apply the moisturiser first. Then wait 10-15 minutes before applying diflucortolone. This allows time for the moisturiser to be absorbed before the topical corticosteroid is applied. Your skin should be moist but not slippery when you apply diflucortolone.

• Do not use diflucortolone on your face unless a skin specialist doctor has said you should. If you have been told to use it on your face, be careful not to get any preparation near your eyes and do not use it for longer periods of time than you have been advised.

• Se non diversamente consigliato dal medico, non applicare bendaggi o medicazioni sull'area trattata, poiché ciò aumenterà l'assorbimento del preparato e il rischio di effetti indesiderati.

• Continue to use diflucortolone until the flare-up is controlled, and then stop it. A course of treatment for 7 days is usually sufficient. Do not use Nerisone Forte® for more than two weeks, and do not use Nerisone® for more than four weeks. If your symptoms have not improved after this time (or if they get worse), speak again with your doctor for further advice.

• After you finish using diflucortolone, continue to use your moisturiser every day. This will help to prevent a further flare-up. Your doctor may also prescribe a less potent steroid cream for you to use when needed.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. You can reduce the risk of side-effects from diflucortolone by applying the preparation thinly, no more than twice a day, and to the affected areas only.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to diflucortolone, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.