Intralesional Drug Treatment
Scar Formation: Conditions like keloids and hypertrophic scars where excessive tissue formation occurs, leading to raised, thickened scars.
Inflammatory Skin Conditions: Such as eczema, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis, where localized inflammation needs targeted treatment.
Acne Cysts: Deep, cystic acne that is resistant to topical treatments, which may benefit from direct medication injection.
Skin Tumors or Lesions: Treatment for benign growths or tumors, such as certain types of cysts or other localized skin lesions.
Autoimmune Skin Disorders: Conditions where the immune system attacks the skin, like localized forms of lupus or alopecia areata, which may require focused immunosuppressive therapy.
Redness and Swelling: It’s common for the treated area to become red and swollen immediately after the injection. This is usually temporary and resolves within a few hours to a few days.
Pain or Discomfort: There may be mild to moderate pain or tenderness at the injection site, especially if the lesion or area treated is sensitive or large. This pain typically lasts for a short duration.
Bruising: Some individuals may experience bruising around the injection site, which can take a few days to a week to subside.
Atrophy: In some cases, particularly with steroid injections, the skin may become thin or develop slight indentations (atrophy) at the injection site. This is usually temporary but can occasionally result in longer-lasting skin changes.
Skin Color Changes: Hyperpigmentation (darkening) or hypopigmentation (lightening) may occur at the injection site, especially if corticosteroids are used. These changes typically fade over time.
Infection: Although rare, any injection carries a risk of infection. Signs of infection include increased redness, warmth, swelling, and the development of pus.
Delayed Response: In some cases, it may take a few days or even weeks for the full effect of the treatment to become visible, depending on the condition being treated.
Targeted Treatment: The medication is delivered directly into the affected area, providing a highly targeted approach that maximizes effectiveness and minimizes systemic side effects.
Effective Scar Reduction: Intralesional injections, particularly corticosteroids, are highly effective in treating keloid and hypertrophic scars, helping to flatten and reduce the size and appearance of these scars.
Reduced Inflammation: For inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and neurodermatitis, intralesional injections help to reduce inflammation and symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling, providing faster relief compared to topical treatments.
Improved Healing: The treatment stimulates the healing process in localized areas, promoting the regeneration of healthy tissue and reducing the likelihood of recurrence of certain skin conditions.
Minimal Systemic Side Effects: Because the drug is injected locally into the lesion, it avoids widespread distribution throughout the body, leading to fewer systemic side effects compared to oral medications.
Quick Relief: Intralesional treatments provide quicker relief and noticeable improvement in many skin conditions, especially when compared to topical treatments that can take longer to show results.
Versatile Application: This treatment is effective for a variety of skin concerns, such as acne cysts, localized psoriasis, inflammatory skin diseases, and other conditions, making it a versatile option for those struggling with chronic or stubborn skin issues.
Improves Skin Texture and Appearance: For conditions like acne cysts or scars, the treatment can help improve the overall texture and appearance of the skin, leading to a smoother and more even skin surface.
Frequently Ask Question
Intralesional injections are commonly used for:
- Keloids and hypertrophic scars: To reduce size, redness, and discomfort.
- Acne cysts: To reduce inflammation and promote faster healing.
- Warts: Particularly stubborn or resistant warts.
- Psoriasis or eczema lesions: To control inflammation and reduce flare-ups.
- Non-cancerous growths: Such as lipomas or sebaceous cysts.
An intralesional drug injection involves the direct injection of medication into a specific lesion or area of the skin. The medication is usually a corticosteroid, but it can also be other drugs such as antibiotics or chemotherapeutic agents, depending on the condition being treated. This method allows for targeted treatment, helping to reduce inflammation, size, or abnormal growths.
The treatment works by injecting the medication directly into the lesion or affected area. If corticosteroids are used, they reduce inflammation, slow down excessive scar tissue formation, and help flatten raised scars or keloids. The direct injection into the lesion allows the drug to act where it’s needed most, leading to a more effective treatment with faster results.
Most people experience mild discomfort during an intralesional injection. The sensation is often described as a brief stinging or pressure. Topical numbing creams can be applied to the skin before the injection to reduce pain. For larger or more sensitive areas, a local anesthetic may be used to numb the area.
The procedure is typically quick, taking about 10 to 20 minutes depending on the size and number of lesions being treated. The injection process itself usually takes just a few minutes, but additional time may be needed for preparation or applying numbing agents.
Nirvana Skin, Hair & Laser Clinic
The clinic provides a range of dermatological and hair treatments. It’s advisable to call ahead for an appointment or for more specific information about services and availability.