Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
If you are struggling with psoriasis, chances are good that your doctor has recommended you to use dithranol, often known as cygnoline. This substance has been known for over 120 years for its properties, especially in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Find out how to use cygnoline and how to avoid its side effects.
What is cygnoline and how does it work?
Cygnolina, or dithranol, is an organic chemical compound that can be obtained from the chrysarobin present in the trunk of the Andira araroba tree. Nowadays it is synthesized in laboratories. It comes in the form of a brownish yellow or yellow powder that is corrosive to the skin in its pure form. Therefore, only on its basis medicinal products such as ointments, creams or solutions are produced. Such preparations contain cygnoline in concentrations ranging from 0,1% to 5%. Usually, the composition also includes auxiliary substances, for example zinc, prodermin, salicylic acid or substances with an oiling effect, such as petroleum jelly. These supplements support treatment and also help minimize the occurrence of side effects cygnolines.
Cygnolina has an exfoliating, bactericidal, fungicidal, anti-seborrhoeic effect, and also supports the reconstruction of the epidermis. Therefore, a remedy such as ointment z cygnoline for psoriasis can be even beneficial, as long as we follow the recommendations for its use.
What should you know when using Cygnoline?
There are two main uses taken care of. Continuous therapy consists in applying a low concentration preparation cygnolines for night. We gradually increase the concentration of the active substance in the preparation, starting from 0,125%, through 0,25% and 0,5%, up to 1%.
The second variant is minute therapy. It consists in applying a preparation with a higher concentration taken care ofbut for a much shorter period of time. In this case, the concentration should be gradually increased (in the range from 1% to 3%) and the time for which the preparation is on the skin. At the beginning, it is enough to apply it for 5 minutes, and with the next use, increase it up to 30 minutes. In more severe cases, this time may be extended. The upper limit is the period of 2 hours after which cygnoline he loses his properties curative and simply irritates the skin. After the appropriate time has elapsed, the agent is simply washed off. Then it is worth applying ointment to the skin with moisturizing properties to minimize the risk of irritation. Advantage minute therapy the contact time of the skin with the substance is shorter, which reduces the effect of its coloring, which is one of the side effects of its use cygnolines.
Cygnoline side effects – what can occur and how to prevent them?
Ditranol it is considered a substance relatively safe to use, when properly handled. First and foremost, you should bear in mind that he is corrosive substance. Hence the most common side effects apart from the discoloration mentioned, there are skin irritations. In order to avoid them, it is enough to follow a few recommendations:
- If you are using Cygnoline for the first time, apply it in the lowest possible concentration for the shortest possible time. You cannot predict how your skin will react to this substance.
- Avoid contact of cygnoline with healthy skin. Its exfoliating effect is beneficial for the skin affected by psoriasis, but it simply harms healthy skin.
- Therefore, preparations containing cygnoline should always be applied using protective gloves.
- Don’t hesitate to stop treatment as soon as irritation develops. Continued use of dithranol in this case may result in more tissue damage. Instead, wash the skin thoroughly and use a moisturizing ointment to soothe the side effects. If the irritation subsides, you can try preparations with a lower concentration of cygnoline.
- It is also important to properly store the dithranol preparation. The best place to store products with gypsophila is a refrigerator, because this substance is sensitive to temperature and sun rays. Under the influence of these factors, it can oxidize, which increases the risk of irritation. If the cygnoline has been oxidized, we will know it by the gray-and-black color of the preparation. You should get rid of it, as it will no longer fulfill its function.
While this is not directly related to the safety of using cygnolines, it is worth remembering that it can stain clothes irreversibly and therefore it is better not to use it while wearing your favorite clothes.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.