What should you know about intralesional Kenalog?

Kenalog refers to triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid. Injecting it into a lesion concentrates treatment in the selected area rather than treating the whole body in the same way as a tablet. Dermatology clinicians may use it for keloid or hypertrophic scars and some other local inflammatory problems after confirming the diagnosis.

The injection can sting, and the treated area may be sore briefly. Possible local effects include thinning of the skin, a depression, lighter or darker colour, visible small blood vessels, or delayed healing. The clinician chooses the concentration, volume, and spacing according to the lesion and skin site.

Tell the clinician about infection at the site, diabetes, pregnancy, allergies, previous steroid reactions, and medicines that affect healing. Keep the area clean, avoid rubbing or picking it, and follow the clinic's dressing and activity advice. Do not arrange repeated injections without review, because the skin needs assessment between treatments.

Contact the treating clinic for spreading redness, increasing warmth, pus, severe pain, fever, or a wound that is slow to heal. Ask for review if a hollow, marked colour change, or worsening scar appears at the injection site.

Ask what lesion is being treated, why an intralesional steroid is appropriate, what local changes to watch for, and how many reviews are planned. Ask how this option compares with other scar treatments if the response is limited.