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"What is it used for? Synalar cream and ointment are used to treat a variety of inflammatory, allergic or itchy skin disorders, such as those listed below, when milder corticosteroids have not been effective.   Eczema and dermatitis. Inflammatory skin condition with greasy, red and scaly areas (seborrhoeic dermatitis). Thickened skin rash caused by excessive scratching to relieve itching (neurodermatitis). Inflammation of the skin lining the outer ear (otitis externa). Psoriasis. Skin disorder called lichen planus, in which there are patches on the skin that appear as flat-topped, shiny, almost violet itchy areas.  Skin disorder called discoid lupus erythematosus, which is caused by the immune system attacking the skin.  An eruption of hard nodules in the skin accompanied by intense itching (prurigo nodularis).  How does it work? Synalar cream and ointment both contain the active ingredient fluocinolone acetonide, which is a type of medicine known as a topical corticosteroid.   Corticosteroids are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Inflammation of the skin happens as a result of allergy or irritation of the skin, and is caused by the release of various substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen and result in the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful, such as is seen in dermatitis or eczema. When fluocinolone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the skin cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itch.  There is a range of potencies of corticosteroids available for application to the skin. Synalar cream and ointment contain fluocinolone 0.025% and are classed as potent corticosteroids. They are prescribed to treat various inflammatory skin disorders, such as eczema and dermatitis, that have not responded to milder steroids.  Synalar cream is more suitable for moist, weeping areas of skin, while the thicker, more greasy ointment is more suitable for dry, scaly areas of skin. Warning!  Synalar cream and ointment are both for external use on the skin only.  The cream or ointment should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s) as directed by your doctor. Click here to see how much to use. Avoid getting the medicine in the eyes, or in contact with the inside of the mouth or nose. Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs.  Wash your hands thoroughly after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated.  If your doctor has advised you to use dressings with this medicine, the skin should be cleansed before applying the cream/ointment under a fresh dressing. If corticosteroids are used long-term, on large areas of skin, raw or broken skin, skin folds, or under airtight dressings they are absorbed into the body more. This increases the risk of local side effects such as skin thinning, and those on other parts of the body, such as a decrease in the production of natural hormones by the adrenal glands. For this reason, continuous, long-term use of this medicine should be avoided wherever possible, particularly in children and on large areas of skin. You should only use airtight dressings over the affected area if instructed by your doctor. If there is no improvement in your skin after two to four weeks of treatment you should consult your doctor.  If this medicine is used on the face, wherever possible it should not be used for longer than five days. You should not use airtight dressings to cover the area treated.  If used in children, wherever possible this medicine should not be used for longer than five days, or on the face. You should not use airtight dressings to cover the area treated. Be aware that children&amp;#039;s nappies can also act as an airtight dressing and can increase the absorption of the medicine. Children being treated with this medicine should be reviewed by the doctor at least once a week.  If you have been prescribed this medicine to treat psoriasis you should have regular check-ups with your doctor. This is because although corticosteroids may be useful for psoriasis in the short-term, they can sometimes make psoriasis worse, and may cause the condition to relapse into generalised pustular psoriasis after the treatment is stopped.  If you think the area of skin you are treating has become infected you should stop using this medicine and consult your doctor.   Use with caution in  Children. Psoriasis.  Not to be used in  Children under one year of age. Bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo. Fungal skin infections such as thrush, ringworm, athlete&amp;#039;s foot. Viral skin infections, such as chickenpox, shingles, cold sores or herpes simplex. Acne. Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea). Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis). Itching around the back passage and genitals. Nappy rash. Widespread plaque psoriasis.  This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.  Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.  This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings, or for prolonged periods of time. Consult your doctor for further information This medicine should not be used during breastfeeding unless considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings or for prolonged periods of time. If it is applied to the breasts it should be washed off carefully before breastfeeding and then reapplied afterwards.  Label warnings  This medication is to be spread thinly and sparingly on the skin.  Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect. The following side effects are known to be associated with this medicine.   Skin irritation at site of application, such as burning, itching and redness.  Allergic inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis).  Thinning of the skin.  Changes in skin pigmentation. Stretch marks (striae). Groupings of fine blood vessels becoming prominent under the skin (telangiectasia). Prolonged use of this medicine on extensive areas of skin, broken or raw skin, skin folds or underneath airtight dressings may on rare occasions result in enough corticosteroid being absorbed to have side effects on other parts of the body, for example a decrease in the production of natural hormones by the adrenal glands - see warning section above.  This list may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine&amp;#039;s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. How can this medicine affect other medicines? This medicine is not known to affect other medicines. However, as with all medicines, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already using, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medicines while using this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.  If you are using other medicines or moisturisers on the same area of skin it is recommended that you leave several minutes between applying each product. This is to allow each product time to be absorbed and avoid them mixing on the skin. Other medicines containing the same active ingredient    Synalar 1 in 4 cream/ointment Synalar 1 in 10 cream Synalar gel    Synalar C and Synalar N cream and ointment contain fluocinolone in combination with antimicrobials. Last updated 10.01.2011 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-and-hair/a7599/synalar-cream-ointment-fluocinolone/>