How long can you use hormonal cream? Pros and cons of hormonal ointments. Fenistil - gel

Currently, non-hormonal and hormonal ointments for dermatitis can be used to get rid of external symptoms. Many experts disagree about the benefits of these medicinal groups. Some consider non-hormonal drugs to be the most effective, while others are confident that hormonal therapy can provide the most positive impact per patient.

The most effective hormonal ointments

The list of hormonal drugs is quite extensive and includes many drugs, the most used are:

ADVANTAN (ointment, cream, emulsion). This drug is prescribed to relieve symptoms of atopic, allergic, and contact dermatitis. The main active ingredient is methylprednisolone aceponate, which has a gentle effect on the skin. average price medicine is 300-400 rubles.

Reviews: existing reviews about the action of Advantan are very contradictory. Some consider it a salvation from allergic and inflammatory symptoms, especially in young children. For another category of patients, it does not have sufficient effect and, on the contrary, even aggravates the course of the disease.

FLUCINAR (gel, ointment). The drug is prescribed for seborrheic and atopic dermatitis. In addition, it is prescribed for erythema, psoriasis, etc. for adult patients and children over 2 years old. Active ingredient is fluocinolone acetonide. The average price category varies between 175-200 rubles.

Reviews: due to minimal side effects, especially in children, most people received the ointment a large number of positive feedback. There are much fewer negative statements, but this is mainly due to the wrong way medicine.

FUCICORT (ointment, cream). The ointment is actively used for dermatological diseases which are complicated by bacterial infections. Most often, Fucicort is prescribed for atopic, seborrheic and contact dermatitis, as well as lupus erythematosus, eczema and lichen. Use the ointment with caution for perianal and genital itching, occlusive dressings, and significant lesions. skin and diaper rash. The cost of the ointment is 400-450 rubles.

Reviews: indicate the effectiveness of an external product that is long time stops allergic symptoms. Minimum side effects allow it to be used for short-term treatment of children.

LOCOID (cream, ointment). Lokoid includes hydrocortisone butyrate, which quickly relieves inflammation, swelling and itching. The drug is prescribed for the treatment of superficial skin diseases. And also in the following cases:

• eczematous rashes;
• psoriasis;
• for atopic, seborrheic and contact dermatitis.

As a rule, the effect after treatment lasts quite a long time, providing anti-edematous, antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects. The course of treatment is selected individually and depends on the severity of the disease and the general condition of the patient. The average price of Lokoid is 260-300 rubles.

Reviews: patients note that this drug helps better than others in treatment, but it should be used with caution, since in some people prolonged use of ointment and cream, on the contrary, provokes the occurrence of hormonal form dermatitis.

CELESTODERM (cream, ointment). This ointment is a corticosteroid and is prescribed for the treatment of seborrheic, contact, radiation, atopic and other types of dermatitis. Perfectly eliminates itching and moisturizes the skin. The ointment is applied thin layer and is approved for use in children from 6 months, since children's body more susceptible to hormonal drugs. The price of the drug is 230-370 rubles.

Reviews: patients highly appreciate the effectiveness of the drug, but note that regular use is required to obtain lasting results. Usually, side effect appears quite rarely.

PREDNISOONE (ointment, tablets, injection solutions). Prednisolone is characterized by fairly low activity with minimal side effects. Prescribed for allergic diseases inflammatory in nature with non-microbial etiology.

In addition, indications for the use of ointment are:

• limited neurodermatitis;
• prescribed for atopic, contact and allergic dermatitis;
• with discoid lupus erythematosus;
• psoriasis, eczema, erythroderma;
• toxicoderma, urticaria.

The drug should be discontinued gradually with a gradual reduction in dosage. It is important to note the fairly low price of Prednisolone ointment, which is 15-20 rubles per tube.

Reviews: The opinion of patients determines the positive effect after applying the ointment, however, patients note that after stabilization of the general condition, it is advisable to carry out alternative therapy.

ELOKOM (ointment, lotion, cream). This is a synthetic hormonal drug that effectively relieves inflammation, painful itching, reducing liquid exudate (in the blood, pus and serous fluid). Not recommended if wet. At local use Elokom is practically not absorbed into the blood, preventing negative effects on the body. Average price – 550 rub.

Reviews: Opinions about the action of the ointment are quite different. It did not help some, but others (especially young mothers) note its positive effects. On various forums, patients share their opinions about Elokom, focusing on the fact that during treatment it is necessary to follow a diet, which causes some inconvenience.

FLUOROCORT (ointment). The drug is prescribed for use in the following cases:

• neurodermatitis, psoriasis;
• acute and chronic eczema;
• contact dermatitis;
• Leiner's disease;
• exfoliative erythroderma;
• stinging insect bite;
• non-infectious external otitis.

Together with occlusive dressings probably systemic impact drug, therefore increased caution is required, especially when treating children. The cost ranges from 160 to 200 rubles.

Reviews: patients claim that Fluorocort is quite effective and easily tolerated, without side effects.

LORINDEN. It has antipruritic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects. The ointment is prescribed for dermatophytes, mycoses and bacterial infection. Treatment course approximately 10-14 days. The price of Lorinden is 250-320 rubles.

Reviews: according to patients, this drug is the most popular and best relieves negative symptoms. However, there is a small amount of people who consider the positive effects of Lorinden to be quite short-lived.

AKRIDERM (ointment). Hormonal ointment is prescribed for allergic, solar, seborrheic, atopic and contact dermatitis. Assigned for withdrawal external symptoms diseases. Price 550-700 rubles.

Reviews: the drug relieves quickly enough external symptoms, very economical and with minimum quantity side effects. The disadvantages include the high price category, which makes Akriderm inaccessible to some categories of sick people.

Non-hormonal ointments

Comparative characteristics of hormonal and non-hormonal ones indicate that with the help non-hormonal drugs the positive effect is achieved over a longer period of time. Moreover, they practically do not cause side effects, with the exception of the individual sensitivity of a person to the components of the ointment.

The list of the most common non-hormonal drugs includes:

EPLAN (cream). This medicine is used to treat various forms of eczematous dermatitis, insect bites, psoriasis, herpes, burns and microbial eczema. It actively relieves swelling, relieves itching and is able to have a preventive effect on chemical irritation. The cost of Eplan is 180 rubles.

Reviews: the ointment is safe and is often used to treat skin lesions in children (abrasions, cuts, etc.). Eplan is equally good for infected wounds, and to get rid of dermatitis.

BEPANTEN (cream, lotions, ointment). Bepanten is prescribed for dermatitis of various types to neutralize dry skin, itching, and get rid of erythema. Quite often the drug is used as prophylactic for diaper rash in babies, as it creates a protective film on the skin and quickly regenerates skin tissue. The cost of the medicine is 570 rubles.

Reviews: user opinions about the ointment are mostly positive. Many confirm complete relief from negative external symptoms within 1 week of using Bepanten. Especially good feedback come from young mothers for whom Bepanten allows them to get rid of cracked nipples. They appear quite often when a baby is breastfeeding.

SKIN-CAP (cream, gel, shampoo, aerosol)

Skin-Cap forms a whole series of antimicrobial, antivoproliferative and anti-inflammatory agents. This drug has been experimentally found to be the most effective and safe for patients.

Skin cap is prescribed to get rid of atopic, seborrheic and diaper dermatitis. In addition, ointment and cream are used for eczema, seborrhea, psoriasis and increased dryness skin. average cost external agent is 800 -1450 rub.

Reviews: Numerous reviews indicate positive dynamics when using a series of these drugs. In addition, patients indicate the effectiveness of Skin-Cap antiseborrheic shampoo and aerosol. Negative reviews are caused by the price category of the drug.

EXODERIL (ointment, cream). This drug is effective antifungal agent and is most often prescribed for an unclear cause of the inflammatory process on the skin. This drug is used for cutaneous candidiasis, pityriasis versicolor and with the development of inflammatory dermatomycosis. The average price is 380 rubles.

Reviews: patients claim that this drug is the most good action renders with complex treatment. Allergic reactions was not identified.

RADEVIT (ointment, cream). Radevit is prescribed for the treatment of contact, atopic and allergic dermatitis to remove negative symptoms on the surface of the skin. It eliminates itching, inflammation and has a softening effect on the skin of the face and hands, especially in children. Cream and ointment have a good regenerating and reparative effect. Price – 370 rub.

Reviews: Numerous patient opinions confirm that the ointment is well tolerated. Women claim that, in addition to medicinal effects at skin diseases Long-term use of Radevit helps get rid of wrinkles and acne on the face.

GISTAN-N (ointment, cream). This drug is intended for external use and is classified as biologically active additives, which are prescribed for atopic and allergic dermatitis. In addition, Gistan-N perfectly relieves itching, including after insect bites. However, this should under no circumstances be confused non-hormonal agent with a similar one (Gistan-N with the addition of hormones), so you should carefully study the composition of the drug before use. The average price is 150 -190 rubles.

Reviews: positive effects are observed when treating children. Patients report that therapy with Gistan-N is highly effective, but for this it must be used correctly and regularly. Negative reviews not observed when using ointments and creams.

Analogues of expensive ointments and creams

• Advantan - Metypred (190 rubles), Atoxil (150 rubles);
• Fucicort - Akriderm Genta (140 rub.);
• Lokoid - Hydrocortisone (25-30 r);
• Celestoderm - Betaderm cream (135 rub.), Belogent (90 rub.);
• Elokom - Avekort ointment (162 rubles), Momat (130 rubles);
• Lorinden - Flumethasone + Clioquinol (160 rub.);
• Akriderm - Betamethasone (RUB 176);
• Bepanthen - Dexpanthenol (129 RUR);
• Skin-Cap - Pyrithione zinc (600 rub.),
• Exoderil - Salicylic ointment(27 rub.), Fungoterbin cream (348 rub.);

This group medicines, which are used for hormone therapy. The effect of such drugs on the body has been studied well enough that it does not cause concern.

To such wide group, as hormonal drugs, the following categories of drugs include:

• Contraceptives.
• Medicinal (drugs whose action is aimed at curing a disease caused by a deficiency of the hormone).
• Regulating (for example, to normalize menstrual cycle).
• Maintenance (insulin for diabetics).

All drugs affect the body and women differently. It all depends on the general condition of the body, the presence of serious diseases and the state of the immune system.

Treatment drugs

This group is used for hormone therapy and are available in the form of tablets and ointments. Tablets treat serious illnesses caused by deviations in hormonal sphere, and ointments have a local effect.

In girls experiencing a lack of hormone production, the skin suffers from cracks and wounds in winter period, since the synthesis of new cells is disrupted. To deal with such trouble. The doctor prescribes creams, ointments and lotions containing hormones. Typically, ointments contain corticosteroids, which are absorbed into the blood within a few hours.

Such drugs can seriously affect the body. Therefore, it is important to maintain the dosage and, when prescribing, immediately determine the duration of the course, since one wrong step can lead to complications of existing problems.

Regulatory drugs

Due to the lifestyle modern woman, deteriorating nutrition and polluted environment, many representatives of the fair sex experience menstrual irregularities. This can affect not only the sexual sphere of the body, but also general condition body. Hormonal disorders may lead to the development oncological diseases breasts, as well as to infertility. The action of hormonal drugs can help solve problems.

However, before taking it, examination and tests are necessary. First, a blood test is performed for certain substances. He will be able to identify either their excess. Such tests are quite expensive, but to solve problems it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner. After identifying a deficiency or excess of hormones, regulation of their content begins. For this, courses of injections or tablets are prescribed. Properly selected oral contraceptives will help normalize the cycle without harm to health.

Any product containing hormones requires scrupulousness in determining the dosage, since going over the line required dose simple enough. For example, exceeding the norm can lead to hair loss, swelling and pain in the mammary glands.

Hormonal preparations can be made based on hormones natural origin or they are synthetically produced substances. A course of hormonal therapy is aimed at normalizing hormonal levels and normalization metabolic processes. Depending on the functional state of one or another gland, hormone therapy is conventionally divided into replacement, stimulating and blocking.

Negative effects of hormones

For the body of both men and women, the use of hormonal drugs can cause such unpleasant consequences, How:

• osteoporosis and mucosal ulcers duodenum and the stomach itself when taking glucocorticoids;
• weight loss and cardiac arrhythmia when taking thyroid hormones;
• too much a sharp decline blood sugar when taking insulin.

The effect of hormonal ointments on the body

Preparations containing topical hormones can vary greatly in the degree of effect on the body. Ointments and creams are considered the most powerful; gels and lotions contain lower concentrations. Hormonal ointments are used to treat skin diseases and allergic manifestations. Their action is aimed at eliminating the causes of inflammation and irritation on the skin.

However, if you compare ointments with tablets or injections, then their harm is minimal, since absorption into the blood occurs in small doses. In some cases, the use of ointments can lead to a decrease in the productivity of the adrenal glands, but after the end of the course of treatment, their functionality is restored on its own.

The effect of hormonal contraceptives on a woman’s body

The peculiarities of the influence of hormonal drugs on the human body are that many factors are perceived purely individually. The use of such drugs is not only an interference with natural physiological processes, but also influence on the functioning of body systems during the day. Therefore, the decision to prescribe hormonal drugs can only be made by an experienced doctor based on the results comprehensive examination and analyses.

Hormonal contraceptives can be produced in various forms and dosages:

• combined;
• mini-pill;
• injections;
• plasters;
• subcutaneous implants;
• postcoidal drugs;
• hormonal rings.

Combination drugs contain substances similar to female hormones produced by the ovaries. To be able to choose optimal medicine, all groups of drugs can be monophasic, biphasic and triphasic. They differ in the proportions of hormones.

Knowing about the properties of gestagens and estrogens, it is possible to identify certain mechanisms of action oral contraceptives:

• decreased secretion gonadotropic hormones due to the influence of gestagen;
• increased vaginal acidity due to the influence of estrogens;
• increased viscosity of cervical mucus;
• Each instruction contains the phrase “ovum implantation,” which is a veiled abortifacient drugs.

Since the advent of the first oral contraceptives, debates about the safety of the drugs have not subsided, and research in this area continues.

What hormones are included in contraceptives?

Usually in hormonal contraceptives Progestogens, also called progestins and progestogens, are used. These are hormones that are produced yellow body ovaries, in small quantities by the adrenal cortex and during pregnancy by the placenta. The main gestagen is progesterone, which helps prepare the uterus in a state favorable for the development of a fertilized egg.

Another component of oral contraceptives is. Estrogens are produced by ovarian follicles and the adrenal cortex. Estrogens include three main hormones: , estriol and estrogen. These hormones are necessary in contraceptives to normalize the menstrual cycle, but not to protect against unwanted conception.

Side effects of hormonal drugs

Each drug has a number of side effects that may occur; when these occur, a decision is made to immediately discontinue the drug.

The most frequently reported cases of side effects of hormonal drugs are:

• Hemolytic-uremic syndrome. It manifests itself with disorders such as anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure.
• Porphyria, which is a disorder of hemoglobin synthesis.
• Hearing loss due to otosclerosis.

All manufacturers of hormonal drugs indicate thromboembolism as a side effect, which is extremely rare. This condition is a blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot. If side effects exceed the benefit of the medication, it must be discontinued.

Side effects of oral contraceptives are:

• (lack of menstrual flow);
• headache;
• blurred vision;
• change blood pressure;
• depression;
• weight gain;
• soreness in the mammary glands.

Studies on side effects of oral contraceptives

IN foreign countries Research is constantly being conducted on the side effects of hormonal drugs on a woman’s body, which has revealed the following facts:

• Hormonal contraceptives are used by more than 100 million women in different countries.
• Number of deaths from venous and arterial diseases recorded from 2 to 6 per year per million.
• The risk of venous thrombosis is important in young women
• Arterial thrombosis is relevant for older women.
• Among smoking women, accepting OK, number deaths is about 100 per million per year.

The influence of hormones on the male body

The male body is also seriously dependent on hormones. A man's body also contains female hormones. Violation of the optimal balance of hormones leads to various diseases.

Either estrogen leads to a decrease in testosterone production. This can cause problems:

• in the cardiovascular system;
• with memory;
• age ;
• decreased immunity.

If the balance of hormones is disturbed, a course of hormonal therapy is necessary to help avoid further deterioration of health.

Progesterone affects male nervous system calming effect and helps men suffering from premature ejaculation, solve sexual problems.

Normal estrogen levels in male body has a number of useful properties:

• preservation optimal level"good cholesterol";
• pronounced muscle growth;
• regulation of the nervous system;
• improvement of libido.

When noted:

• suppression of testosterone production;
• female-type fat deposits;
• gynecomastia.
• Erectile dysfunction;
• decreased libido;
• depression.

Any of the symptoms is extremely unpleasant, so do not hesitate to visit a doctor. A competent specialist will be able to carry out full examination and prescribe a course of medications that will significantly improve the condition of the body.

Bibliography

1. Sudakov K.V., Normal physiology. - M.: Medical Information Agency LLC, 2006. – 920 p.;
2. Kolman Y., Rem K. - G., Visual biochemistry // Hormones. Hormonal system. - 2000. - pp. 358-359, 368-375.
3. Berezov T.T., Korovkin B.F., Biological chemistry // Nomenclature and classification of hormones. - 1998. - p.250-251, 271-272.
4. Grebenshchikov Yu.B., Moshkovsky Yu.Sh., Bioorganic chemistry // Physicochemical characteristics, structure and functional activity of insulin. - 1986. - p.296.
5. Orlov R. S., Normal physiology: textbook, 2nd ed., revised. and additional – M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2010. – 832 p.;
6. Tepperman J., Tepperman H., Physiology of metabolism and the endocrine system. Introductory course. - Per. from English - M.: Mir, 1989. – 656 p.; Physiology.

Hormonal ointments based on glucocorticosteroids have been used to treat many dermatological diseases for more than 40 years. Previously, they were not as effective, and their use often had many negative side effects. They were not used independently, but after mixing with creams. Modern hormonal ointments are effective means, and they do not need to be diluted with anything. They are easy to use, quickly penetrate the epidermis and eliminate rashes, redness and discomfort caused by these skin lesions. However, their use does not always bring only benefits.

In this article we will introduce you to the problems that hormonal ointments can cause, and the most popular means. In addition, we will provide you with information about their classification by strength.

What are the indications for the use of hormonal ointments?

Part hormonal ointments includes adrenal hormones - glucocorticosteroids. Using them, you can quickly deal with various inflammatory lesions skin in cases where others local remedies ineffective.

Indications for the use of hormonal ointments are the following diseases:

• neurodermatitis;
• allergic dermatological diseases;
• varicose veins, etc.

Hormonal agents for local application– ointments, lotions, creams, sprays – it is not recommended to use for more than 3 weeks. Their selection and prescription should be carried out only by a doctor who can determine the advisability of their use.

Hormonal ointments in pediatrics

For the treatment of children, drugs with glucocorticoids are more often prescribed for treatment allergic diseases and are not used for long. Despite their fast therapeutic effect, they are capable of providing a number negative impacts on the child's body. When absorbed into the general bloodstream, hormonal drugs can affect the functioning of the adrenal glands, causing a rise in blood pressure and the development of side effects (for example, slowing growth).

When using such ointments in pediatric practice preference should be given to agents with weak or moderate potency. They are available in the form of sprays or lotions and are not able to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin (i.e., they have fewer adverse reactions). These drugs include: Ftoderm, Lokoid, Cinacort, Afloderm. Their use should be carried out using moderate doses, with which parents little patient the doctor introduces.

Hormonal ointments for the face

For the treatment of diseases that are accompanied by damage to the skin of the face or neck, it is recommended to use products in the form of a cream or lotion, since ointment forms of such drugs have stronger activity and have large quantity side effects. For such purposes, the following hormonal drugs can be used: Advantan, Elokom or Afloderm.

When used to treat the skin of the face and neck, hormonal ointments can cause the following negative reactions:

• development ;
• decreased collagen production, leading to thinning and hypersensitive skin;
• the appearance of patches and stretch marks;
• skin discoloration.

Contraindications for hormonal ointments

Only a doctor can determine the presence of all contraindications to the use of a particular drug - they are different for each drug and clinical case.

General contraindications for prescribing hormonal ointments are the following diseases and conditions:

• hypersensitivity to components;
• pregnancy period.

Benefits of hormonal ointments

When used, hormonal ointments relieve signs of inflammation after just a few applications. The patient is relieved of troublesome redness and rashes. The healing process with the use of these remedies proceeds faster.

Disadvantages of hormonal ointments

Despite undeniable advantages However, the use of hormonal ointments also has many disadvantages. Their self-prescription, incorrect or prolonged use can cause more harm for health than good.

The consequences of treatment with hormonal ointments may be as follows:

• acne;
• hyperpigmentation;
• skin atrophy (subsequently possible development malignant tumors in an atrophied area);
• slow healing of the skin from cuts or wounds;
• telangiectasia;
• subcutaneous hemorrhages;
• development of bacterial or fungal infections in the area of ​​application of drugs;
• hypertrichosis (increased hair growth) at the site of application of drugs;
• (reduced hair growth) at the site of application of drugs;
• or glaucoma when used in the eye area;
• withdrawal syndrome (with abrupt withdrawal of the drug, the condition of the skin at the site of application of the drugs sharply worsens).

Classification of hormonal ointments by activity

Group I – low activity

• Prednisolone – ointment 0.5%;
• Hydrocortisone (or Lokoid) - cream.

Drugs in this group can be used to treat diseases in the face, neck and skin folds. They can be prescribed with caution to children under 2 years of age and pregnant women.

Group II – with moderate activity

• Afloderm - cream or ointment;
• Lorinden + salicylic acid (Lorinden A) – ointment;
• Clobetasone Butyrate 0.05% – cream or ointment;
• Belosalik – cream;
• Cinacort (or Fluoroderm, Fluorocort) – cream and ointment;
• Betamethasone valerate 0.025% – cream or ointment;
• Deoxymethasone 0.05% – fatty cream.

Drugs from this group are prescribed in cases where drugs from group I have proven ineffective.

Group III – active

• Advantan (or methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1%) – cream;
• Cutivate – cream;
• Akriderm, Celederm, Kuterid - ointment and cream;
• Sinalar (or Flucort, Sinaflan, Flucinar, Sinoderm);
• Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% – cream or ointment;
• Apulein – cream or ointment;
• Elokom – lotion, cream or ointment;
• Betamethasone valerate 0.1% – lotion, cream or ointment;
• Fluorocinoid 0.05% – cream or ointment;
• Fluorolorolone acetonide 0.025% – cream or ointment;
• Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% – lotion, cream or ointment.

Drugs from this group are prescribed for chronic dermatitis and when it is necessary to quickly act on the skin lesion. They should not be used for a long time, as they quickly begin to cause side effects.

Group IV – highly active

• Galcinonide – cream;
• Dermovate – cream or ointment;
• Diflucortolone valerate 0.3% – fatty cream or ointment.

Drugs from this group can only be used under the constant supervision of a doctor! They cause the maximum number of adverse reactions, because they are able to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and blood.

The use of hormonal ointments for dermatological diseases is sometimes necessary and their use cannot always be abandoned. When redness, soreness of the skin appears, increased growth or hair loss or other unusual skin symptoms, you should always consult your doctor. It should also be remembered that self-medication with hormonal ointments or their improper use harms not only the skin, but can also affect general health.

Which doctor should I contact?

To prescribe hormonal drugs and if their side effects occur, you should consult a dermatologist. If long-term use hormones caused an increase in blood pressure, overgrowth hair, frequent infectious diseases and other systemic side effects, you need to consult an endocrinologist and check the function of the adrenal glands.

IN last years The popularity of hormonal ointments used to treat dermatitis and other skin diseases is growing at a tremendous pace. And it’s not surprising: these drugs have an almost miraculous ability to quickly eliminate the disorders that cause regular medications powerless to cope.

Operating principle

Dermatologists call hormonal ointments medications containing corticosteroids - pancreatic hormones. These include glucocorticoids, cortisone and others necessary for a person substances. It is their quantity that determines the rate of metabolism in our body - primarily proteins and carbohydrates. That's why artificial administration Such hormones allow you to activate metabolism and, thereby, accelerate relief from a number of skin diseases.

However, not everything is so rosy. Any hormonal ointment has not only obvious advantages, but also a whole host of contraindications. Therefore, using it thoughtlessly is not a good idea.

What diseases require hormonal ointments?

Preparations based on corthyrosteroids have the ability to penetrate deeply into skin cells and stimulate the body's natural defense processes. The result is rapid cessation inflammatory processes, which, as a rule, are the cause of most skin diseases.

Regardless of the cause of the disease (and it may be exposure to an allergen, infection, fungus and many other factors), the active substance of the ointment restores normal work body.

Doctors often prescribe hormonal ointments for treatment various kinds skin lesions:

• diathesis;
• psoriasis;
• neurodermatitis;
• dermatomyositis;
• varicose eczema;
• scleroderma;
• atrophic lichen;
• some varieties of lichen (for example, red flat);
• as well as several types of dermatitis.

It is worth noting that all these diseases are very difficult to treat, and hormonal ointment is a last resort that doctors take when weaker and safer medications are powerless. You need to be especially careful when treating eczema or allergic dermatitis in children.

Are hormonal ointments safe?

This question concerns all women suffering from skin diseases. Hormonal ointment or a more gentle lotion can quickly cope with the disease. However, many dermatologist patients outright refuse the prescribed medication, fearing that it will do them much more harm than good.

There really is some truth to these fears. Even in small dosages with short-term use, glucocorticoid-based drugs can cause some unpleasant consequences:

• Slower wound healing, especially in areas where ointment is applied.
• In places where the medicine is applied, the skin becomes thinner, dry and painful. This occurs because the hormones contained in the drugs inhibit the production of callogens necessary for skin elasticity.
• Some people develop purple stretch marks in these places, the so-called “striae”.
• The vessels may dilate, thereby causing capillary “stars”.
• When applying ointment to the face a common consequence pimples and blackheads appear, especially on the chin and around the lips.
• It is especially dangerous to treat the skin around the eyes with such drugs for a long time: this can cause vision deterioration, and later lead to the appearance of glaucoma or cataracts.
• Pigmentation is often disturbed (this is expressed as dark spots, and in skin discoloration).
• Extremely in rare cases It is even possible that microscopic wounds and ulcers may appear (if they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, who will most likely try to find another medicine that does not affect metabolism).

This is why hormonal ointments are dangerous - they have such a profound effect on the body that one cured problem can be replaced by a good dozen others, not so dangerous, but also not very pleasant. Absorbed into the skin, they enter the bloodstream and affect the functioning of the adrenal glands, which is where the lion's share of the hormones necessary for human life is produced.

That is why hormone-based medications can only be used as prescribed by a dermatologist. You should not change the dosage of the drug at your own discretion. IN best case scenario, it will simply nullify everything positive effects treatment. At worst, it will cause all sorts of complications.

Another danger posed by hormonal ointment is that the body becomes accustomed to the amount of artificially administered hormones. With prolonged use (and for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, allergies or lichen, sometimes it takes a lot of time), the so-called “hormonal ointment withdrawal syndrome” occurs - a painful reaction to refusal usual medicine. This can be expressed in different ways: a rash, redness, or even the return of the problem for which, in fact, the drug was prescribed. These side effects are especially noticeable in children and adolescents.

The advantage of such medications is that after completing the course of treatment, the body gradually returns to its usual level of hormone production.

Types of hormonal drugs

All drugs based on topical hormones can be divided into 4 groups:

1. Mild drugs, for example, Lokoid. Quantity active substance they are minimal, and therefore side effects are insignificant. This is the only group of hormonal medications that can be used even during pregnancy. For serious skin diseases, for example, long-term atopic dermatitis, they can be given to newborns and children under 2 years of age.
2. Moderate ointment - this group includes drugs such as Triderm, Afloderm and Belosalik. They contain betamethasone and deoxymethasone and are usually prescribed if weaker drugs do not work. They are no longer suitable for children because they are quite high concentration pancreatic hormones.
3. Drugs strong action prescribed when you need to quickly cure dermatitis or other skin disease, or when chronic illness does not respond to any other medications. These are Elokom, Flucinar and other powerful corticosteroid medications.
4. Finally, there is a hormonal ointment of the strongest functionality - in fact, this is a means to solve those problems that can no longer be treated safe medications and represent serious threat for good health. A striking example– Dermovate, which can only be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor and, preferably, for a very short time.

In addition, there are different shapes release of such drugs. These can be ointments and creams themselves (their effect on the body is most powerful), as well as skin lotions and various sprays. The latter are ideal for children due to their weak action. But when treating dermatitis or lichen in adults, creams are more often prescribed.

Hormonal drugs for children

A very important question is why hormonal ointments are dangerous for children and whether they are dangerous at all. Indeed, in some cases, for the treatment of dermatitis, allergic eczema and other diseases, hormone-based drugs are prescribed even to very tiny babies.

As a rule, for children the need for hormonal medicine appears in the case of psoriasis or long-term allergic dermatitis (well known to mothers under the name “diathesis”). After the first or second dose, itching and redness decrease or disappear completely, and the disease itself goes away much faster than with other medications.

Unfortunately, there are also side effects:

• Hormones from the pancreas, on which the ointment is made, can cause an increase in blood pressure.
• In children, interference with the adrenal glands is very dangerous because it can cause hormonal changes the whole body.
• The consequence may be slower growth.

This is why it is better for children to buy drugs with weak or moderate effects, such as Locoin or Afloderm. And, of course, in no case should you exceed the dosage.

The human body produces corticosteroid hormones naturally, mainly in the form of cortisone, they participate in normal metabolism and also have a pronounced ability to suppress the development of inflammatory reactions. These hormones were synthesized artificially and today are used to prepare external preparations - ointments and creams.

Indications for prescribing hormonal ointments, including for children, include:

• atopic, contact and seborrheic dermatitis
• vitiligo
• psoriasis
• lichen planus
• patchy baldness (alopecia)
• lichen planus
• dermatomyositis
• lichen atrophicus
• localized scleroderma

These serious skin diseases are successfully treated with hormonal ointments, which in many cases are the only way to cope with such skin problems

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Corticosteroid hormones of different actions

The effect of artificial hormones in these drugs can be controlled, weakening or strengthening, by adding additional chemical substances, such as fluorine. Depending on this, hormonal ointments are of strong or weak effect.

The stronger it is, the more effectively it affects inflammatory reaction, the faster it can improve skin condition. The effect of the ointment is also enhanced by a high concentration of the active substance. According to the strength of their effect, hormonal ointments are divided into four classes, the first includes the weakest, the fourth - the strongest.

The strength of hormonal drugs depends on the form of release: the strongest are ointments, followed in descending order by creams, lotions, gels and sprays

Naturally, the strength of the drug depends not only on how effectively it works, but also on the number of side effects. Fourth class drugs can cure even severe forms diseases, but at the same time they can more often cause unwanted adverse reaction body, weak drugs rarely have side effects. This is why many people are afraid to use hormonal ointments, considering their use dangerous to their health. Even those patients for whom ointments are prescribed by a doctor refuse to use them or arbitrarily reduce the amount of the drug applied, which reduces or even completely eliminates the entire effect of treatment.

Side effects from the use of hormonal ointments

As a result clinical trials and patient reviews, the following side effects from the use of corticosteroid hormonal ointments were identified:

• atrophy of the skin at the site of constant application of hormonal ointment
• the appearance of striae - purplish-red stripes resembling stretch marks
• if applied carelessly, when the medicine gets on the face, pimples may appear around the mouth and chin
• appearance spider veins and dilated blood vessels
• temporary skin discoloration

It should be noted that the listed phenomena are very rare, if we talk about cases recorded during long-term clinical trials of many months; for example, stretch marks appeared in only 1% of subjects

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These stretch marks and skin atrophy were observed only when hormonal ointment was applied to the skin of the face, neck, genitals and natural folds of the body. Experts recommend treating these local areas strong ointments only for short periods of time, and then replace them with weaker ones that do not have a similar effect. On the abdomen, chest, back, legs and arms, as well as palms, soles and scalp, treatment even with strong hormonal drugs has no side effects.

If wounds, pimples, pustules or redness appear on the areas of the skin to which you apply hormonal ointment, be sure to see a doctor

Since the corticosteroid substance in ointments, although synthetic, is hormonal, many patients are concerned about whether it will affect the metabolism, which is regulated endocrine system. When released into the blood, these hormones actually slow down the functioning of the adrenal glands, but after stopping the use of the drugs they normal functioning completely restored.