Intralesional Injection

What is intralesional injection?

Intralesional injection, the direct delivery of medication into skin lesions. Intralesional injections are effective for a wide range of indications, are easily performed and are relatively safe.

When topical therapy is ineffective, it is possible to treat skin lesions by intradermal injection directly into the lesion. A variety of drugs can be used in this manner but corticosteroids are the most commonly used.

This is one of the topical drug therapy whereby the barrier zone is bypassed by establishment of a subepidermal depot by intralesion injection.

How it works?

The rationale for intralesional therapy is simple: To deliver a medication directly into a specific skin lesion to treat local tissues with minimal systemic effects. The skin also serves as a reservoir, allowing medication deposited in the dermis to be delivered over a period of time, resulting in prolonged therapy while avoiding or minimizing the adverse effects of systemic therapy.

What are the uses or indications of intralesional injection?

Alopecia Areata.

Chronic Eczema.

Discoid lupus erythematosus.

Granuloma annulare.

Hidradenitis suppurativa.

Hypertrophic Lupus.

Hypertrophic Scar.

Keloids.

Lichen planus.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus.

Nodular and cystic lesion of acne.

Nodulocyctic Acne.

Prurigo Nodularis.

Psoriasis.

Vitiligo.

What are the contraindications of intralesional injection?

Active local infection.

Extensive lesion.

Immunocompromised patient.

Uncontrolled diabetes.

Advantages of this procedure

Easy.

Safe.

OPD procedure.

Excellent results.

Few side effects.

What are the disadvantages of intralesional injection?

Medicine can leak nearby area.

Multiple sittings may be required.

Mild local pain while injecting.

Is it painful?

Mild local pain while injecting.

Can we use this procedure with other procedure?

Yes, we can use this procedure with other procedure like –

Electrocautery.

What are the side effects of intralesional injection?

Chances of infection if not given properly.

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