Sometimes our skin has problems, right? The skin gets red, itchy, a little swollen, or something like an allergy occurs. When you go to see a doctor at a time like this, you may have been prescribed a cream, ointment, or liquid called Fluocinolone. So don't be scared when you hear this name. Today, let's talk about what this medicine is, how to use it exactly, and what things to be careful about.
What exactly is Fluocinolone?
Simply put, Fluocinolone is a type of steroid . But this is not the kind of bodybuilding steroid we've heard of. It's medically known as a corticosteroid .
The main function of this is to control swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions on the skin. Imagine, when there is a problem with our skin, our body's immune system responds to it. Sometimes that response becomes a little too intense. That's when things like redness and itching come up. What this Fluocinolone medicine does is control that over-reaction and calm the skin.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing this medicine to you, your doctor will ask you a few questions. However, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to inform your doctor about them. This is very important for your safety.
| Your situation | Why should you tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| An existing infection on the skin or elsewhere in the body | Because steroids suppress the body's immune system to some extent, existing infections may worsen. |
| Diabetes | If this medicine is applied to a large area of skin or for a long time, a very small amount may be absorbed into the bloodstream and affect sugar levels. |
| Large areas of burned or injured skin | Damaged skin can increase the risk of side effects, as more medication is absorbed into the body. |
| If the skin is thin (Skin thinning) | Prolonged use of steroid creams can cause the skin to become thinner. Therefore, if the skin is already thin, the doctor should be aware of this. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | In these cases, it is imperative to seek medical advice before using any medication. |
The most important thing is, if you have an allergy to Fluocinolone or any other steroid, medicine, or food, don't forget to tell us first.
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the best results from a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- For topical use only: This is not an oral medication . Do not put it in your mouth for any reason. Do not apply it to your eyes, nose, or inside your mouth.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine.
- Apply as a thin film: You don't need to apply a lot of the medicine. Just apply a very thin film to the area that the doctor has told you to.
- Do not apply a bandage: Do not apply a bandage or plaster over the medication. However, do so only if your doctor specifically advises you to do so. This can cause the medication to be absorbed into the skin more than necessary and cause side effects.
- Do not apply to healthy skin: This should only be applied to the affected area. Do not apply to the surrounding healthy skin.
- If in eyes: If the medicine accidentally gets into the eyes, immediately rinse the eyes thoroughly with clean water for several minutes.
- Duration and Dosage: Do not take more than the recommended dose or frequency of use. It is generally not recommended to use this type of medication for more than two weeks. However, this will be determined by your doctor based on your condition.
When used on young children and the elderly...
If you are giving this medicine to young children, you should be especially careful. If you are applying this cream to the child's diaper area , do not put a tight diaper or plastic pants over it. This can increase the amount of medicine absorbed into the skin, increasing the risk of side effects for the child.
Also, since the skin of the elderly is usually thinner and more sensitive, they are more likely to experience side effects. Therefore, they should only use this medication for a short period of time.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people, but not everyone gets them.
| Side effects and what you should do | |
|---|---|
| If you experience these symptoms, notify your doctor immediately. | |
| • Skin inflammation or severe itching | • Dark red spots on the skin |
| • Signs of skin infection (pus, swelling) | • Skin condition that does not improve or gets worse |
| • Painful, red, pus-filled blisters in the hair follicles | • Thinning of the skin, especially the skin on the face, making it more prone to sunburn |
| If these symptoms persist or are bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| • Dry skin, slight inflammation | • Abnormal hair growth on the face or body |
A few other important points
- If you miss a dose: If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time .
- Overdose: If someone accidentally takes too much of this medicine or has taken it by mouth, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital (telephone number 0112 686 143). Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Giving to others: This medicine has been prescribed by your doctor only for you . Even if a friend or relative has the same skin problem as you, do not give this to them. This medicine may not be suitable for that person.
- Storage: Keep out of reach of children . Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat and direct sunlight. Do not freeze . Throw away any medicine left after the expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- Fluocinolone is a steroid medication that controls swelling, redness, and itching of the skin.
- This should only be applied in the area the doctor told you to, like a very thin film.
- Do not apply the medicine and cover it with bandages (without medical advice).
- If your symptoms do not improve after about a week of use, tell your doctor immediately.
- Never share this medicine with anyone else. This is for you only.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it.
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