Fluocinolone for inflammatory skin conditions

About fluocinolone

Fluocinolone is classed as a topical corticosteroid. Topical corticosteroids are also referred to as steroidi topici. 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. Fluocinolone 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. Short courses of fluocinolone may also be prescribed for the treatment of small areas of psoriasis.

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, or a gel for hairy areas of skin such as the scalp.

There are three strengths of fluocinolone. Preparations which contain 0.025% fluocinolone (Synalar®) are classed as potent topical steroids. Preparations containing 0.00625% fluocinolone (Synalar 1 in 4 Dilution®) are classed as moderately potent, and the lowest-strength cream which contains 0.0025% fluocinolone (Synalar 1 in 10 Dilution®) is classed as a mild topical steroid. The higher strengths may be prescribed initially to control your symptoms if they are severe, and then as soon as your symptoms improve, the strength will be reduced. Fluocinolone may be prescribed for a child but the less potent strengths are usually preferred.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using fluocinolone it is important that your doctor or pharmacist 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.

• Before you start using this preparation, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about topical steroids and will provide you with a full list of side-effects that you may experience from using them.

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

• Do not use fluocinolone on any 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.

• If you are using more than one topical corticosteroid, make sure you know how and where to use each one. If you are unsure, check with your doctor or ask your pharmacist for further advice.

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

• If you are using fluocinolone 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 this can cause your symptoms to flare up afterwards.

• If you are using a moisturiser along with this preparation, apply the moisturiser first. Then wait 10-15 minutes before applying fluocinolone. 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 fluocinolone.

• Do not use fluocinolone on your face unless your 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.

• Unless advised to do so by your doctor, do not apply a bandage or dressing to the area being treated, as this will increase absorption of the steroid and increase the risk of side-effects.

• It is generally recommended that you continue to use fluocinolone until the flare-up is controlled, and then stop it. A course of treatment for 7 days is usually sufficient. Your doctor may prescribe one of the lower-strength preparations for you to use after this time. If your symptoms do not improve (or if they get worse), speak again with your doctor for further advice. Topical corticosteroids like fluocinolone should not be used for long periods of time or on large areas of the body, especially in children.

• After you finish using fluocinolone, continue to use your moisturiser every day. This will help to prevent a further flare-up.

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 fluocinolone, by applying the preparation thinly, no more than twice a day, and to the affected areas only.

Speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice if you experience these or any other side-effects which you think may be due to using fluocinolone.

• 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.