SERVICES
INTRALESIONAL STEROID INJECTIONS
What are intralesional steroid injections?
Intralesional steroid injections contain corticosteroid substances such as triamcinolone acetonide, which are directly injected into a lesion or the skin. The main aim of intralesional injections is to deliver a higher concentration of medicine into the site of the lesion to maximise efficiency while decreasing the effects of the drug. Intralesional steroid injections have been used to treat several dermatological and non-dermatological illnesses. The goal of the injection is to achieve a high medication concentration in the diseased region while minimising systemic absorption. The dose and time between injections are determined by the type, size, and severity of the lesion, as well as the prior injection’s effectiveness.
When are intralesional steroid injections used?
An intralesional steroid injection may be recommended for the following skin conditions:
- Alopecia areata
- Keloid/hypertrophic scar
- Lichen planus
- Acne cysts
- Cutaneous sarcoidosis
- Folliculitis keloidalis nuchae
Intralesional administration of corticosteroids helps treat the dermal inflammatory process directly as they bypass the outer defensive layer of the skin to the affected area and make a difference in your condition and reduce surface skin thinning.
How are intralesional steroid injections administered?
Dr Ndongeni will clean the site where he will inject the steroid with an antiseptic solution and inject intralesional triamcinolone directly onto the skin lesion. The dose per injection will depend on the lesion that is being treated. Normally 0.1–0.2 ml is injected into the area of skin that is being treated. The total dose should not exceed 1–2 ml per injection.
The corticosteroid is usually diluted with a local anaesthetic to minimise pain and discomfort.
What can you expect after the procedure?
After the procedure, you may feel some pain in the treated area, but this will wear off within a few days. If you experience any allergic reaction, contact Dr Ndongeni for immediate medical attention. Intralesional steroid injections may be repeated monthly for a few months to achieve the best results.
Intralesional steroid injections can take several days to work but boast a few benefits, such as a higher concentration at the pathology site.
Injections such as these can be quite painful.
They typically take effect within a few days after the injections are administered.
Cortisone injections should be given no more than once every six weeks and no more than three or four times a year.
