Triderm is used in medicine as a complex agent with antimicrobial, antimycotic and anti-inflammatory activity. For external use in the area of affected skin. There is no pronounced systemic effect. Can be used for dermatitis, eczema and other pathological conditions. Can be used in childhood under medical supervision.
This is a good replacement for oral forms of drugs, the advantage of which is a low risk of systemic adverse reactions. The medicine effectively alleviates the inflammatory process in tissues and prevents the occurrence of infectious complications. It is advisable to consult a doctor before use.
Composition of Triderm ointment: three in one
Triderm ointment is available in tubes of 15 and 30 g. It contains three active ingredients: an antibiotic, an antifungal agent and a synthetic hormone . Hence the name of the ointment -
Tri-derm
- triple treatment for the skin
.
We will describe in detail how each of the components works and what their combined use in the ointment gives.
Betamethasone is a synthetic hormone
Betamethasone is a synthetic hormone. It provides antiallergic effect. Relieves itching and inflammation caused by an atypical reaction (allergies). What does betamethasone do in cells?
This substance stops the release of inflammatory mediators . Their appearance in the blood is a trigger for any allergic reaction. As a result of an atypical (allergic) reaction to certain substances, the body releases mediators into the blood and forms inflammation.
Betamethasone also constricts blood vessels. By this, it limits the penetration of existing mediators to the site of inflammation. By stopping the release of mediators and constricting blood vessels, the symptoms of skin inflammation weaken and disappear.
Sometimes people doubt whether Triderm is a hormonal ointment or not?
Triderm contains a hormone, therefore it is a hormonal drug. The use of hormones imposes its own characteristics on the treatment process. For example, hormonal ointments should not be discontinued abruptly. It is necessary to reduce the amount of the active substance gradually, over several days, and only then discontinue the ointment completely.
What are other side effects of hormonal treatment?
- Feeling of dryness on the skin.
- Skin discoloration, stretch marks.
- Increased hair growth in areas where hormonal cream and ointment were applied.
- Addiction - if used for several months - the skin gets used to hormonal treatment and stops responding to other medications.
Clotrimazole for fungus
Clotrimazole is an antifungal component. It disrupts the synthesis of substances necessary for the restoration of fungal membranes (shells). Thus, fungal microorganisms are destroyed and die.
Clotrimazole is most effective against three fungal infections - candidiasis, microsporia, trichophytosis (the medical name for ringworm). Triderm ointment is prescribed for these fungi.
Antibiotic Gentamicin
Gentamicin is an antibiotic. It penetrates the bacteria and disrupts protein synthesis in them, stopping their vital activity and further reproduction of pathogenic flora. Gentamicin destroys various pathogenic bacteria - staphylococci or streptococci, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa .
Note: the amount of antifungal clotrimazole in Triderm ointment is 10 times greater than the antibacterial gentamicin (10 mg of clotrimazole versus 1 mg of gentamicin). And the content of the hormonal drug is even less - 0.64 mg per 1 g of ointment.
Each of the active ingredients is a toxin. Therefore, the use of ointment requires certain indications - the presence of an infection (bacterial or fungal) against the background of a developed allergic reaction.
Therapeutic effect
It has a complex local effect due to the presence of several active components. Anti-inflammatory effect eliminates swelling, redness, soreness and irritation. Reduces the production of inflammatory fluid and suppresses allergies. A glucocorticosteroid is responsible for these properties. The antimycotic component destroys fungal microorganisms, disrupting the formation of their cell walls. An antimicrobial agent destroys a variety of bacterial cells.
Effect spectrum
An antibiotic directly destroys pathogens. Shows activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial cells. Copes well with various types of infections, including opportunistic ones against the background of the underlying disease.
Triderm ointment or cream: what is the difference
The pharmaceutical industry produces two types of formulations for the external treatment of skin inflammation - cream and ointment. The creamy consistency is quickly absorbed and concentrated in the surface layers of the skin. Ointment - absorbs longer, leaves a greasy mark on the surface, while penetrating into the deeper subcutaneous layers. Therefore, it is used for serious indications (severe inflammation), and also, if necessary, to apply the composition under a bandage.
Triderm cream and ointment also differ in the following:
- The cream contains more auxiliary components (propylene glycol, phosphoric acid, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, alcohol). Therefore, the cream causes allergic reactions more often than an ointment with the same name (where the additional components contain only a paraffin or petroleum jelly base).
- The cream is prescribed for dermatitis. Ointment – for psoriasis .
- The cream is used for weeping inflammations, and the ointment is used for dry ones..
- Due to the presence of preservatives, the cream has a long shelf life (up to 3 years), and the ointment has a short shelf life (only 2 years).
- The ointment is a fatty composition, it stains clothes and is applied under the bandage. The cream is quickly absorbed and does not stain clothes.
Now let’s take a look at what the instructions for use say about Triderm ointment. What features of the action of the ointment composition do you need to know?
Triderm ointment: treatment features
- Triderm ointment is not used for a long time (no longer than 4 weeks for adults and no longer than 7 days for children). This is due to the content of antibacterial and hormonal components. With prolonged contact with pathogenic bacteria, the antibiotic causes them to become “addicted” (the pathogens mutate and develop resistance to the effects of gentamicin). The synthetic hormone is also addictive.
- The active ingredients of the ointment are toxins. This limits the area where the drug can be applied. Triderm is used locally, on small areas of the skin . It is not applied to large areas of the body. Apply no more than 3 times a day, often 2 times are enough (morning and evening).
- Since Triderm is a hormonal drug, its gradual withdrawal is necessary at the end of treatment . Especially after long-term therapy, for two, three or four weeks. On the first day of “weaning off” the drug, a little baby cream is added to its composition (thereby reducing the amount of the hormonal component that gets on the skin). The next day, mix the cream and ointment equally 1:1. The next time, they take more cream and less ointment (1:2). And on the fourth or fifth day the ointment is completely discontinued.
- If several ointments are used for treatment, then the break between Triderm and the other composition should be at least 1 hour .
What else is important to know? The effect of Triderm ointment does not appear immediately. The first signs of improvement can be seen a week after starting treatment. However, if there is no improvement even after 3 weeks, then it is necessary to reconsider the diagnosis and conduct additional examination.
When treating children, the components of the ointment can enter the systemic bloodstream (the skin of a child is thinner than the skin of an adult, so more medicinal components are absorbed through it). The younger the child, the greater the likelihood of toxins entering the general bloodstream. This increases the likelihood of allergies, side effects and other complications.
special instructions
— Triderm, the composition of which is not suitable for all people, cannot be used in ophthalmology.
— The drug should not be applied to an open wound.
— This medication should be discontinued gradually after long-term treatment.
— When using Triderm cream or ointment with other antibacterial agents, cross-allergic reactions may occur.
— For children over the age of seven, the drug is prescribed with great caution.
— Nursing mothers should use the product with caution. It is advisable to feed the baby formula during the treatment period.
Application of Triderm ointment
Let's list when Triderm ointment is prescribed according to the instructions:
- Primary and secondary skin infections.
- Infectious agents sensitive to the antibiotic gentamicin. The term “sensitivity” refers to the ability of a given antibiotic to destroy microorganisms of pathogenic bacteria.
- Fungal diseases that are caused by microorganisms sensitive to the substance clotrimazole (mycosis of the foot, ringworm).
- Skin inflammations that are treated with hormonal drugs (psoriasis, dermatitis or eczema).
- Allergic skin reactions, against the background of which a bacterial or fungal infection has formed.
Triderm is a multicomponent ointment, the action of which is directed against bacterial and fungal infections, as well as against an allergic reaction. It is far from harmless (more on this later), so it is prescribed when complex treatment is necessary. For example, when an infectious infection occurs against the background of a skin allergy. Or when a skin infection is complicated by your own allergies.
Now let’s look at the features of using ointment for skin diseases.
Triderm ointment for psoriasis
Psoriasis is a non-infectious disease in which a person develops scaly red spots of various shapes. For its treatment, hormonal external preparations are often used. Cracking of psoriasis spots leads to the formation of wounds, and long-term non-healing wounds often become infected with pathogenic fungi and bacteria (more often this happens on the legs - feet, ankles, knees). Therefore, Triderm is in demand in the treatment of advanced psoriasis spots with additional infections .
Other ointments for psoriasis
Triderm ointment for lichen
The ointment composition can be used to treat ringworm . Its causative agent is the pathogenic fungus trichophytosis. From the instructions for the drug it is known that Triderm is an ointment for fungus, most effective against trichophytosis, candida and microsporia. Therefore, Triderm successfully treats ringworm.
The term "cutting"
, is associated with the appearance of “cut” places in the scalp where the hair is “broken off at the root.” This infection is often spread by stray animals (cats, dogs). The disease does not go away on its own and requires treatment. Otherwise, the “trimmed” areas of skin become extensive.
How to treat ringworm (trichophytia)
Triderm? If the disease is in the initial stage - several foci of infection have appeared in the form of round, flaky red spots, then alternate treatment of the foci with an antifungal agent and iodine is used.
If the infection has spread widely, then potent ointments with an antifungal component are prescribed - for example, Triderm.
Triderm ointment for dogs and cats
Bacterial and fungal infections are possible not only in humans. Pets, cats and dogs, also suffer from dermatitis and scabies. If the animal's illness is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, it can be treated with Triderm ointment .
In its veterinary version, Triderm is called Sanoderm . The veterinary drug is cheaper, so the need to use Triderm arises only when Synoderm is not available in the veterinary pharmacy.
To treat the skin of an animal (cat or dog), it is necessary to cut the hair at the site of inflammation. For a better therapeutic effect, before applying the ointment, the skin is treated with chlorhexidine. If the eczema is located on the paws, they are thoroughly washed with tar soap and then dipped in chlorhexidine.
Before applying the ointment, dry the skin thoroughly (you can use a hairdryer).
Important: the dog should not lick the ointment from the skin. To do this, you can use special protective collars (which limit the dog’s ability to lick itself).
Triderm ointment for otitis media in children
The instructions do not regulate the treatment of otitis media with hormonal medication. Triderm ointment is not used for ears . What else is important to consider? Otitis often affects young children. Due to age characteristics and the structure of the nasopharynx, it is in preschool children that frequent infections of the middle ear occur. Therefore, it is important to know that Triderm is not used in the treatment of children under 2 years of age.
Side effects in children develop more often and stronger than in adults. Especially when treated with hormonal drugs and antibiotics. In children under two years of age, the components of the drug are actively absorbed into the blood. And this can cause dysfunction of the hypothalamus and adrenal glands. What side effects can result from the unreasonable use of Triderm in children:
- In infants there is insufficient weight gain.
- Nurseries and preschoolers have slow growth.
- Increased pressure inside the skull and, as a result, headaches.
Contraindications
- Intolerance to any substance.
- Tuberculosis infection of integumentary tissues.
- Syphilitic skin infection.
- Chicken pox.
- Herpetic infection.
- Side effects of vaccination in the skin area.
- Age up to two years.
- Open damage to the cover.
The following factors indicate the need for careful use: carrying a child, the child’s age after two years, long-term therapy, treatment of large areas of integumentary tissue, violation of the integrity of the epithelium, use of dressings. During pregnancy, use is possible strictly under medical supervision, taking into account the risks. There is no information about the possibility of the active ingredients getting into the secretions of the mammary glands, so for use during breastfeeding you should also consult a specialist.
When Triderm is not used
Now let’s list a number of diseases and conditions in which Triderm ointment does more harm than good, and therefore is not used.
With a virus
The antibacterial composition of Triderm ointment limits its use for viral infections. The antibiotic Gentamicin disrupts the natural flora of the skin and thereby reduces local skin immunity. Thus, the skin remains open to the invasion of viruses, because your own immune reaction is the only way to fight viral infection.
The action of the antibiotic leads to the death of various bacteria. Therefore, any antibacterial drug disrupts the microflora and is used only for certain indications. If a bacterial infection is present, treatment with an antibiotic is the only effective way to eliminate the pathogen. For all other infections, the antibiotic disrupts the friendly flora and thereby does more harm than good.
The use of the antibiotic gentamicin in the absence of bacterial infection leads to disruption of the skin flora. And this, in turn, reduces the local immunity of the skin and contributes to the further development of the viral infection.
For post-vaccination complications
The ointment is not used for post-vaccination complications . The appearance of skin inflammation at the site of vaccine injection (vaccination) is usually associated with two factors:
- Allergic reaction to vaccine components.
- Poisoning of cells by vaccine toxins.
Post-vaccination inflammation is not associated with infection, and therefore cannot be treated with Triderm.
For open wounds
The composition cannot be used to treat trophic ulcers and infected wounds . Through open injuries and skin damage, too much antibiotic penetrates into the bloodstream, which can cause severe dysbiosis and disrupt digestion.
During pregnancy and lactation
The composition is limited for use in pregnant and lactating women (due to the antibiotic content), as well as in infants under 1 year of age (difficulty in correct dosing of the antibacterial drug).
Also, treatment restrictions for pregnant women are due to the presence of a hormonal component. The hormone can inhibit the functioning of the adrenal glands and hypothalamus, as a result of which in the future the child will experience delayed growth and puberty.
On the skin of the face
It is not recommended to use Triderm ointment to treat facial skin . Often a complication of such treatment is oral (oral) dermatitis. The disease is expressed in redness of the skin after discontinuation of the drug. Thus, there is some addiction and the need to use the composition every day (for a normal-looking face). Over time, the skin will need an increasing amount of hormonal ointment (to maintain a healthy appearance, without redness and peeling). What to do in this case?
The drug requires discontinuation. If oral dermatitis occurs (skin dependence on the ointment), then it will have to be discontinued gradually, reducing the daily dose of application.
Once again, we emphasize that Triderm ointment contains three active toxic components and has a number of contraindications and side effects. Therefore, it cannot be used for any reason or just in case. Only if there are certain indications and infections.
Overdose
Applying Triderm cream to the skin in excess quantities promotes intensive penetration of the glucocorticoid steroid into the body. This can cause disruption of the adrenal glands. As a result, secondary adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed. At the same time, Cushing's syndrome appears as a consequence of hypercortisolism.
Excessive use of antibiotics causes the development of resistance of microorganisms to this component. As a result, there is a reduction in the effectiveness of the drug. Of all the active substances, clotrimazole is the most gentle, but at the same time effective. Even with prolonged use of this substance, resistance does not develop in microorganisms.
To eliminate side effects that indicate an overdose, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. In this case, the signs of the pathological condition disappear, but not its cause. The glucocorticosteroid can continue to be used provided that the complications that develop are not severe.
If the signs of overdose are not eliminated, and the intensity of their manifestation only increases, you need to stop treatment with Triderm. Its abolition should occur gradually. Instead of this drug, another drug is prescribed. Sometimes correction of electrolyte imbalance is required.
However, cases of overdose with the drug for external use are rare. It is noted that when the occlusive dressing is kept on the skin for 6 hours, no negative symptoms occur.
Allergies and decreased sensitivity
A contraindication to Triderm ointment is an allergic reaction (individual intolerance to any component of the ointment). How can an allergy be expressed? If the allergic reaction is caused by an antifungal substance (clotrimazole), then burning and itching occurs. If it is an allergy to an antibiotic, a rash forms. An allergic reaction to the hormone occurs in the form of inflammation, redness and swelling.
One of the most unpleasant consequences of Triderm treatment is decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
. It occurs in 5% of people. If similar sensations appear, treatment with the ointment should be stopped and a different composition should be selected.
What ointments can modern pharmaceuticals offer as analogues of Triderm?
Side effects
In rare cases, undesirable reactions develop, such as local soreness, changes in skin color, swelling and burning. The following side effects of the use of glucocorticosteroids may also occur: pain, dryness, excess hair growth, inflammation of the hair follicles, rashes, changes in pigmentation, inflammation around the mouth, an allergic form of inflammation, maceration, infection, atrophic phenomena, prickly heat and others.
Get examined by a dermatologist first
Rare negative effects of other active ingredients: allergies, minor soreness, rashes, vesicles, swelling, burning, irritation, itching.
If you notice any unpleasant symptoms during treatment, you should consult a doctor.
Analogues of Triderm ointment
Among various skin ointments, we will highlight complete analogues of Triderm and compositions with a similar effect. What are the differences between them?
Complete analogues of the ointment contain the same active ingredients. The need for their use arises when there is a desire to reduce the cost of treatment or find a cheaper remedy. There are the following complete analogues of Triderm ointment :
- Akriderm GK is an analogue of Russian-made Triderm ointment . Contains the same active ingredients, but its price is almost 2 times less than Triderm. We emphasize that the ointment with the designation “GK” is a complete analogue. Akriderm SK is not an analogue, since it does not contain an antibiotic or antifungal component and has a weaker effect.
- Conazon is an Indian-made drug, the price of which is almost 3 times less than Triderm ointment.
- Betazon Ultra and Triakutan are two Ukrainian inexpensive drugs with the same active ingredients.
Another group of ointments exhibit a similar effect (they fight bacterial and fungal infections against the background of an allergic reaction), but contain either not all or other active ingredients. Often, when deciding what to replace the ointment with, they look for them. Since in most cases, the search for other drugs begins when the prescribed medicine is not suitable for treatment and causes an allergy. Let us highlight the following drugs with a similar effect :
- Elakom - the main active ingredient is the hormone mometasone, without an antibacterial and antifungal component.
- Betaderm - does not contain an antifungal component, contains betamethasone and gentamicin.
- Candiderm - instead of bentamethasone, it contains another hormone with a similar effect - beclomethasone. What limits the ointment in the treatment of children under 6 years of age. The antibiotic and antifungal substance in the composition are the same.
- Rederm, Belosatik, Betasal, Diprosalik - contain the hormone betamethasone and salicylic acid.
- Travocort - contains other active ingredients, which also include a hormone, antibiotic and antifungal component. The drug is also directed against pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
