Triamcinolone acetonide cream and triamcinolone acetonide ointment are topical corticosteroids that are used to treat skin infections. Unlike other drugstore eczema creams, Triamcinolone acetonide can be used to treat the inflammation which is caused by a lot of factors like burning irritation, itchiness, psoriasis, allergic reactions, eczema and many more. They come under a lot of brands like Kenalog, cinolar, trianex, oralone, triderm and pediaderm TA. But, which is better when you compare Triamcinolone acetonide cream vs ointment?
Triamcinolone topical cream is better than ointment. The cream is useful for treating skin itching, redness, skin dryness and gently moisturizes the skin to avoid skin crusting, scaling, and further inflammation than the ointment. The use of Triamcinolone helps with the discomfort of various skin conditions, including psoriasis, which is synonymous with causing skin redness than the balm. These visible scaly patches form on some areas of the body and eczema, which also triggers the skin to overly dehydrated and itchy. Still, the ointment is better if you need a soothing balm that you can slather in affected skin areas for its fast-acting properties than the topical cream.
Triamcinolone acetonide cream
The triamcinolone acetonide cream is a topical corticosteroid that is used to treat skin conditions like eczema, rashes, dermatitis and more. It is also used to reduce itching, redness and swelling that can be caused because of a lot of conditions. It comes in many forms and each has a different potency.
Usage Guide-How can I use the triamcinolone acetonide cream?
As a topical cream,Triamcinolone acetonide cream is formulated for use on the skin only. The cream should not be used under arms, on the groin or on the face unless the doctor has directed you to do that.
How To Use The Cream?
To use the cream, make sure that your hands are well washed, clean and dry. You should also clean the area you want to apply the cream and ensure that it is dry.
First Step Of Application: You should apply a thin film of the cream to the area that you want to apply and rub gently. You can apply the cream two to 4 times a day but the number of times depends on the severity of your conditions and the doctor’s direction.
Take Note: The affected area should not be covered with a bandage or a cloth after you have applied the medication. This should only be done if your doctor directed you to do so. You should also remember to wash your hands after using the cream an ensure that it does not get into your eyes. The cream should only be used for the amount of time prescribed to you and no longer or less than that.
What conditions does Triamcinolone deal with?
Triamcinolone can be used to treat a lot of skin conditions. It can be used to treat dermatitis, psoriasis, itchiness, rashes, inflammation and eczema.
Effects of using triamcinolone acetonide cream
Using the triamcinolone acetonide cream has a lot of side effects such as burning, irritation, itchiness and dryness. These side effects mostly occur when you apply the cream for the first time. But the effects go away a few days after the body has gotten used to the medication. Some people may also experience effects like thinning of the skin, stretch marks appearance, skin discoloration, hair bumps and more. These side effects are very serious but rarely occur. Others can experience worsened skin conditions therefore if you experience any of these symptoms and they do not improve you contact your doctor.
What to know before using triamcinolone acetonide cream
Before using the triamcinolone acetonide cream it is important that you talk to your doctor about any conditions that you have or if you have had an allergic reaction to the cream or any corticosteroid before. This is because the triamcinolone cream can have some ingredients that can cause problems and allergic reactions on the skin.
You have to tell the doctor about all the problems you have like blood problems or problems related to your immune system,
You also need to consider if you have sores or any infections on the affected area. If that is the case do not use the cream on that area and consult the doctor.
Do not use the cream for a very long time. This is because the cream can cause you skin to thin out and the prolonged use can cause other problems in your skin.
When using the cream on children you need to know that the cream can have an impact on the child’s growth, using the cream for a very long time slows down the child’s growth.
For pregnant women the cream should only be used if the doctor has prescribed it. And for breastfeeding women they need to talk to the doctor before using the medication.
Does the cream interact with other medications?
Before you start using this medicated cream, it is important to tell your doctor if you are currently taking other medicines whether they are prescribed or non-prescribed.
Triamcinolone acetonide ointment
Triamcinolone acetonide ointment is a topical corticosteroid that is used to treat inflammation. Inflammation can be caused by a lot of conditions like eczema, psoriasis and allergic reactions. This ointment is available in generic form and it comes under brand names like Kenalog, cinolar and triderm.
Effects of using triamcinolone ointment
Using triamcinolone ointments also has a lot of effects. Some side effects are common while others may be very serious. Some of the most common side effects include burning, itching, redness, irritation, skin peeling and dryness on the skin.
Side effects like thinning of the skin, appearance of stretch marks and blisters on the skin can come after using it for a very long time. If you have other effects like difficulties in breathing, blurred vision, weight gain, eye pain and high blood sugar you should call the doctor.
How to use the triamcinolone ointment
Triamcinolone ointment comes in two doses, the 0.1% and 0.025% dosage. The 0.025% dose can be applied for two to four times in a day while the 0.1 dose can be applied for two to 3 times a day. The number of times that you apply the ointment will be determined by how severe your condition is and how the doctor prescribed it to you.
Interaction with other drugs
The triamcinolone ointment is rarely affected by the other drugs taken orally or that you have been injected with. But it is important that you always tell the doctor about all other medications that you are currently using. You also need to tell the doctor about some conditions that you are in for example if you are pregnant. If you are pregnant you should only use triamcinolone if it has been prescribed by the doctor. You also need to consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Things to know before using triamcinolone acetonide ointment
The triamcinolone acetonide cream can have an effect on the growth of the child by delaying it. It can also cause eye pain and headaches.
For pregnant women the ointment can only be used of the doctor has prescribed it. For women who are breastfeeding they need to consult the doctor before using the ointment because it is not known of the ointment can be passed from mother to child during breastfeeding.
The ointment can make other skin conditions become worse, therefore you should also tell the doctor if this occurs. You also need to tell the doctor or the pharmacists about any kind of infection that you have or if you recently had any infection. You should not use the medicine if you have a sore or a cut on the area of application without consulting your doctor.
It is rare for the ointment to cause an allergic reaction but it may occur and if this is the case you also need to consult the doctor. Before using the triamcinolone ointment, you need to tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to the medication before or had an allergic reaction when you used another corticosteroid. You should also consider knowing the ingredients of this ointment so that you are able to determine if any of the ingredients has ever caused an allergy.
What to do if you miss a dose of the ointment or a cream
If you missed a dose of the triamcinolone ointment or the cream you should apply the cream or the ointment as soon as you remember, but you also need to check the time and if it is already close to your next dose you just have to wait until the time for the dose comes up and then apply. You do not have to apply the dose two times if you missed one.
How to store the triamcinolone ointment or cream?
The storage of the triamcinolone cream and ointment is the same. You have to ensure that it is not in place where you children can easily reach it and it should be stored at room temperature. The cream or the ointment should be stored away from heat or moisture.
Conclusion
The triamcinolone acetonide cream and the triamcinolone acetonide ointment are very similar, the only difference comes in the formulation of these two products. The cream uses a water base whereas the ointment uses an oil base. They are both topical corticosteroids that come under the same brands. Triamcinolone acetonide ointment and cream are both used to treat certain conditions on the skin, they can both treat inflammation that is caused by a lot of factors like psoriasis, eczema, allergic reactions and many other factors.
The effects that these medications have on the skin are similar, they can both cause skin thinning if used for a long time, it can delay child’s growth and cause burning, itching, irritation, etc.
