Kenalog injections can be a miracle treatment for people suffering from a wide range of inflammatory conditions. It acts quickly to alleviate the itching, redness, pain, and swelling associated with many commonly diagnosed health issues. These injections must, however, be performed by a trained professional. The state-of-the-art clinic operated by Launa Stone, RN, in Calabasas, CA offers this treatment that can improve quality of life for so many.
An Innovative Approach to Treating Inflammation
Kenalog injection is a corticosteroid treatment that can be used to alleviate many of the inflammatory symptoms associated with several medical conditions and allergies. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory that is particularly effective at treating skin conditions such as cystic acne and scarring from surgeries or trauma. Not only does it speed healing, but it also reduces the discomfort that these conditions can cause.
Also known by its generic name, triamcinolone, this amazing medical innovation has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of everything from arthritis to allergic skin reactions, as well as conditions that affect the kidneys, lungs, eyes, thyroid, and digestive system.
Specific Conditions That Can be Treated with Kenalog Injections
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the following are just some of the more common conditions and health issues that cause symptoms that can be at least partially relieved by professionally administered triamcinolone shots:
- Acne
- Skin lesions and scars
- Allergic skin reactions
- Joint inflammation
- Thyroid gland disease
- Eye inflammation
- Poorly functioning adrenal gland
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Psoriasis
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Trauma to joint cartilage
- Crohn’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Why Choose an Injection?
While triamcinolone is available in several different forms through a doctor’s prescription, studies have shown that receiving this form of corticosteroid directly through injection is the most effective way to quickly and safely address symptoms.
With an injection (usually into the epidermis, or into a muscle or joint), the medicine can reach its target much more quickly and efficiently. The positive effects of just one injection can last for up to three weeks – although these results may vary depending on what condition is being treated and the severity of the symptoms.
How Does the Injection Work?
This injection works by delivering powerful anti-inflammatory medicine to a targeted area. As with all forms of corticosteroids, triamcinolone temporarily lowers the body’s overactive immune response, which causes a gradual chain reaction that reduces swelling and inflammation in the affected area. Unlike oral corticosteroids, a precisely administered injection only delivers the medication exactly where it needs to go, significantly reducing the risk of side effects.
Patients usually begin to experience relief within 24-48 hours. In some cases, one injection might be all you need (for example, if you suffer from allergies, one injection at the beginning of allergy season may suffice). In the case of scarring, it is likely that several injections will be needed.
Are the Effects Immediate?
This really depends on what condition is being addressed. In the case of an injection to treat cystic acne, for example, patients see a positive effect very soon after the injection takes place. The cyst will begin to shrink right away, and often completely disappears within a day. If more extensive scarring or skin inflammation is being treated, patients might have to receive several injections over a period of weeks before a noticeable improvement occurs.
Using Triamcinolone to Treat Skin Conditions
While this brand of corticosteroid has numerous applications, many of our patients are specifically looking for relief of skin conditions such as acne and keloid scars. Injecting triamcinolone directly to the skin can quickly and effectively calm the redness and swelling that accompanies these conditions.
Injections can be used just about anywhere on the body including the face, neck, chest, back, and limbs. Before administering an injection, an examination will take place to confirm if this is the best course of treatment for you and for your specific skin condition. In some cases, an alternate therapy such as a laser or a topical cream may be recommended. It might also be suitable to use triamcinolone in combination with other treatments.
What Results to Expect
In the case of cystic acne, results will be almost immediate. This is why patients will often seek a corticosteroid injection when they have an acne breakout right before a big event. Cystic acne occurs very deep in the skin and can therefore be non-responsive to topical treatments, but an injection gets right to the root of the inflammation and is able to treat it on contact.
In the case of keloids and hypertrophic scars, the effects will take longer to notice but this is still a very successful treatment for the redness, itching, and pain that these scars can cause. For complete scar reduction, however, treatment should also include laser therapy once the scar is far enough along in the healing process.
Help with Hair Loss
Alopecia, which is characterized by bald spots that suddenly appear on the scalp or in the eyebrows, has proven to be quite responsive to Kenalog treatment. While the science behind this is not entirely clear, it has been proven that a series of injections at the site of hair loss can often stimulate re-growth over a period of months.
This type of treatment is best used for clinical alopecia that has been diagnosed by a doctor. If you have thinning hair or a receding hairline, there are other treatments that may be more effective. We can discuss alternative or combination hair loss therapies during your consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate for this Type of Treatment?
Anyone who has one of the aforementioned skin conditions and who does not have a corticosteroid allergy should be able to take advantage of this amazing treatment. If you have not responded to other treatment options, it is definitely worth giving Kenalog injections a try. You will know within several sessions if your body is responsive to corticosteroid therapy. Only in very rare instances do patients not see noticeable results.
A Safe Yet Powerful Anti-Inflammatory
When administered by a trained healthcare professional, these injections are completely safe and have little risk of an adverse reaction. Injectable corticosteroids have been used for decades to treat pain and inflammation, and it has been consistently shown that the benefits of this treatment usually outweigh any potential risks.
In the case of treatment for skin conditions, which tend to be short-term, it is even more unlikely to experience negative side effects. Skin issues can usually be addressed with one to three injections, except for severe scarring which might require a slightly longer course of treatment,
What Happens at the Appointment?
Receiving a Kenalog injection is a quick and painless process. Other than some slight pressure at the injection site, there should be no discomfort and patients can resume normal activities right after their appointment. If you are particularly sensitive to needles, a numbing cream can be applied. The entire appointment should take no longer than 15 minutes.
Using Triamcinolone in Combination with Other Therapies
At your consultation, we will review your medical history to determine if your injections can be safely done in combination with other treatments. Most of the time, this will not be an issue. Patients who have scarring from surgery or acne often wish to combine their treatment with laser therapy to remove discoloration. We see very good results from this combination of treatments.
Using Triamcinolone as a Pre-emptive Measure
If you feel the beginning of a cystic acne nodule under the skin, seeking an injection at the earliest possible moment can prevent the acne from turning into a full-blown breakout. This type of corticosteroid treatment is extremely effective at controlling acne that erupts under the lower layer of skin, where it can be very difficult to treat through other means.
When it comes to scars, it is also recommended to seek treatment during the earliest stages possible. Newer scars always respond better to treatment than older ones. Triamcinolone has also proven to be effective when used right after rhinoplasty and other cosmetic procedures to reduce scarring and inflammation.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Ridding Your Body of Inflammation?
If you would like to learn more about how Kenalog injections can speed healing and ease discomfort, contact us today at the office of Launa Stone, RN, in Calabasas, CA. We can book a consultation to see if an anti-inflammatory injection would be the right treatment for you.
