In the article, we consider what the harm of hormonal ointments is.
In the treatment of severe forms of dermatological diseases, the leading place is occupied by hormonal ointments, which are made on the basis of corticosteroids. This is due to the fact that hormonal medicines have a very high efficiency, quickly eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of such diseases. They relieve itching, signs of inflammation, swelling of the affected areas of the skin, even out skin color, stop peeling, relieve roughness, and return the patient to normal life, since the presence of dermatological problems, in addition to physical suffering, causes the patient to become more nervous and have many psychological complexes.
disadvantages
The main disadvantage of this therapy is the large number of contraindications to the use of ointments and adverse reactions that hormonal drugs possess, so treatment, as a rule, combines the alternation of drugs containing hormones with various non-hormonal gels, creams and other drugs for external use.
We will talk about the benefits and harms of hormonal ointments below.
Description
Hormonal ointments for the treatment of dermatological pathologies are created on the basis of corticosteroids, which are synthetic hormones that are identical to those produced by the adrenal cortex. Such substances differ in the strength of the therapeutic effect and are the main components of the composition of ointments for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, eczema and other skin pathologies. In some cases, such drugs contain several active elements and are prescribed for the complex course of the pathological process, for example, in cases of allergic reactions, fungal or bacterial infections joining the underlying disease.
In any case, such medical devices are used exclusively for the purpose of the attending doctor in strict accordance with the developed treatment regimen.
Most often, medicines with corticosteroids are prescribed in order to alleviate the acute period of the disease, and after the symptoms become less pronounced, the inflammation subsides, they are replaced with other medicines that do not have so many side effects and are suitable for prolonged use.
They have a fairly dense texture, are available in aluminum or plastic tubes, packed in a cardboard box.
The harm of hormonal ointments for the body is of interest to many.
Operating principle
The action of corticosteroid medicines for external use is due to the ability of the hormonal elements contained in them to inhibit the development of inflammatory reactions due to the possibility of disruption of the production of arachnoidonic acid and its metabolic products.
In addition, these drugs have a pronounced anti-allergic effect, which is achieved by inhibiting the properties of mast cells to produce allergic mediators. That is why the most dangerous side effect of all hormonal ointments is the ability to lower immunity, however, external drugs are safer in this regard than medicines for oral administration, since when used correctly they do not enter the systemic circulation. At the same time, penetrating into the deep layers of the epidermis, the agents very quickly reduce or completely eliminate the signs of inflammation and provide a strong anti-allergic effect.
Hormonal ointments for psoriasis are effective. The harm of these medicines is often much less than the benefit.
Indications for appointment
Corticosteroid ointments are used in the treatment of various allergic manifestations on the skin, diathesis, various types of dermatitis, help in the treatment of chronic dermatological pathologies: psoriasis, neurodermatitis, eczema. They relieve the inflammatory process and itching of the skin, relieve rashes of a non-infectious origin, relieve swelling and hyperemia of the skin, even out its affected areas and eliminate peeling. In most cases, with the development of allergic dermatitis, hormonal external agents completely eliminate its negative manifestations. These pharmacological preparations allow avoiding relapses of skin diseases occurring in chronic forms, eliminate unpleasant symptoms from the first day of use.
Types of hormonal ointments
All external hormonal drugs are divided into several groups:
- Ointments that have a low concentration of hormones and do not have a pronounced effect. They can be used in pediatric dermatology, during pregnancy, applied to the neck and face. Ointments of this category include hydrocortisone or prednisone. Such drugs include ointments "Prednisolone" and "Hydrocortisone."
- Ointments of a more pronounced action, which are used in cases of inefficiency of funds from the first group. These hormones include beclomethasone and betamethasone. These drugs are Lorinden and Dexamethasone.
- Hormonal ointments with a pronounced effect. The use of this category of medicines is indicated for persistent chronic dermatitis, as well as in case of the need for quick action on the skin. Such external funds can not be used for a long time, they are prescribed in a short course, after which the patient again switches to drugs of the first or second category of effectiveness. This category of ointments includes medicines "Advantan" and "Elokom."
- Very strong ointments with hormonal elements. This category of ointments has the greatest ability to penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis and into the blood. They have a very quick effect, but have the greatest number of side effects. Such medicines are prescribed only by a dermatologist. On the pharmaceutical market, these funds are represented by the preparations “Galcinonid” and “Dermoveit”.
Harm hormonal ointments for children
Hormonal ointments during use in childhood can provoke the following negative phenomena:
- Growth retardation, which occurs due to a negative effect on the functioning of the adrenal glands, which subsequently can lead to a decrease in the production of necessary hormones by this body.
- Violation of puberty and early puberty (in boys, the use of hormonal medications in the future threatens infertility).
- The development of arterial hypertension.
- The appearance of hyperpigmentation of the skin.
- Hypertrichosis - enhanced hair growth.
- If hormonal ointments are used in the eye area, this can lead to the development of cataracts and glaucoma (in adolescence).
All parents should know about the dangers of hormonal ointments for children.
In childhood, drugs with a low hormone content (for example, Afloderm or Lokoid preparations), as well as various sprays and lotions are recommended, since drugs in this form less penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis and into the bloodstream.
Additionally, the use of hormonal drugs leads to delayed healing of wounds and cuts, which are common in this age group. During wound healing, scar formation is often noted.
What is the harm of hormonal ointments for adults?
What is the danger to women
Often, estrogen-containing ointments are prescribed to women during menopause, due to increased dryness of the vagina, the occurrence of acne as a result of a lack of hormones. With proper use, hormonal ointments have only a positive effect. Is there any harm to hormonal ointments for women? The most common side effect of such agents is the development of fungal microflora in the vagina (candidiasis), hypertrichosis and withdrawal syndrome during the termination of the use of ointments are also noted.
In most cases, hormones are prescribed for women with menopause or after removal of the ovaries, which resulted in their inadequate function in the production of hormones. Refusing their use of such drugs, even when taking into account the harm of hormonal ointments, is inappropriate, however, they should be used carefully, taking into account all risk factors and after a diagnostic examination.
Hormonal ointments are also often used in the treatment of facial skin pathologies, in the fight against its age-related changes. Often women use such tools to eliminate wrinkles and acne of an unknown etiology. If you apply such a tool on the skin of the face, women may experience excessive hair growth in this area, a violation of skin pigmentation.
What is the harm of hormonal ointments for men?
For the stronger sex
The male part of patients rarely use such medicines for cosmetic purposes. Most often, the goal of using hormonal ointments for men is various dermatological diseases, for example, psoriasis, eczema, etc. Hormones that penetrate the blood can adversely affect the functioning of the adrenal glands and prostate gland in men.
With uncontrolled prolonged use, the harm of hormonal ointments from eczema will be noticeable. They can provoke the occurrence of atrophy of the skin, its excessive drying and thinning. This applies to all categories of patients. It is possible to restore the previous state after the pharmacological agent is canceled, however, this will require a lot of effort and time of the patient.
The use of hormonal ointments can cause hair loss on the head, and if you apply these funds to the face and eyelids, you can provoke an increase in intraocular pressure, the development of diseases of the visual organs. Sometimes, against the background of prolonged use of ointments, osteoporosis develops, the bones become fragile and the likelihood of fractures increases significantly.
The harm of hormonal ointments for the human body will be more noticeable if the use of the drug is prolonged.
Harm from prolonged use.
If hormonal ointments are used for a long time and in large quantities, the symptoms characteristic of hypercortisolism may appear:
- decreased libido in men, menstrual irregularities in women;
- obesity;
- a change in insulin sensitivity and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus;
- fragility of bones;
- muscle weakness;
- increase in blood pressure.
Given the list of serious negative effects of using a hormonal drug in the form of an ointment, you should think about the fact that it is very dangerous to use such medications on your own. Therefore, if you have problems with the skin, it is recommended to consult a specialist for prescribing the drug.
What harm from hormonal ointments will be in each case is unknown.
List of hormonal ointments, their characteristics and harm
The most popular drugs, due to their low cost and high efficiency, include Sinaflan and Hydrocortisone. Such medications are often prescribed:
- “Advantan” is a hormonal anti-inflammatory ointment for local therapy of skin pathologies: eczema, allergic rashes, dermatitis. The drug has a local effect on the affected area of the skin, eliminates signs of inflammation, allergies, prevents thickening of the epidermis. As a harmful effect when using this tool, itching, burning and redness of the skin, a rash in the form of small bubbles at the site of application are noted. The skin may thin, blackheads and stretch marks may occur. It is very rarely possible to develop inflammation of the hair follicles and hypertrichosis, dermatitis of the skin near the mouth.
- “Flucinar” is an ointment whose active component acts on the immune system, reducing the migration of neutrophils to the site of the inflammatory reaction, acting on a number of enzymes, inhibiting their (phospholipase, cyclooxygenase) activity. In this case, the concentration of compounds of inflammatory mediators decreases. This compound also helps to stabilize mast cell membranes, resulting in significantly reduced histamine production. Ointment has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antipruritic effect and is prescribed for psoriasis, eczema, neurodermatitis. If we talk about the dangers of this drug, it is necessary to take into account the likelihood of developing skin atrophy, lupus-like syndrome, signs of lichen planus, spot hemorrhages, striae, steroid purpura, hirsutism, and baldness. As a rule, the harm of hormonal ointments for children is greater than for adults.
- "Akriderm" is a hormonal ointment based on betamethasone, which has an antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, vasoconstrictive, antiallergic and antiexudative effect. This medication suppresses the accumulation of leukocytes, slows the release of inflammatory mediators and lysosomal enzymes in the lesions, suppresses phagocytosis, reduces vascular permeability, prevents the formation of edema, and reduces the severity of pathological reactions (pain, irritation) and objective symptoms (swelling, lichenification, erythema). The drug can harm the body in the form of severe burning, folliculitis, skin irritation and dryness, hypertrichosis, contact dermatitis, hypopigmentation, skin atrophy, sweating, and striae. We examined what the harm of hormonal ointments to the human body consists of.