Is Kenalog (Triamcinolone) effective for treating seborrheic dermatitis?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 14, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the FDA Drug Label

Triamcinolone acetonide cream, 0.1% is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. The FDA drug label does not explicitly mention seborrheic dermatitis as an indication for Kenalog (Triamcinolone). However, it does mention corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, which may include seborrheic dermatitis.

  • The label indicates the drug is used for relief of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations.
  • Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that can have inflammatory and pruritic symptoms. Since the label does not directly address seborrheic dermatitis, the effectiveness of Kenalog for this specific condition cannot be directly determined from the label 1.

From the Research

Effectiveness of Kenalog (Triamcinolone) for Seborrheic Dermatitis

  • There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that specifically evaluates the effectiveness of Kenalog (Triamcinolone) for treating seborrheic dermatitis.
  • However, the studies suggest that topical corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone, are a mainstay of treatment for many scalp dermatoses, including seborrheic dermatitis, and can significantly reduce erythema, scaling, and pruritus 2.
  • A study comparing the effectiveness of different topical treatments for seborrhoeic dermatitis found that topical steroids, including triamcinolone, are effective in reducing symptoms, but the study did not specifically evaluate Kenalog (Triamcinolone) 3.
  • Another study found that mometasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, was more effective than ketoconazole and hydrocortisone in treating seborrhoeic dermatitis, but it did not compare mometasone to triamcinolone 4.
  • The provided studies do not provide sufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of Kenalog (Triamcinolone) specifically for treating seborrheic dermatitis, but they do suggest that topical corticosteroids, including triamcinolone, can be effective in reducing symptoms of the condition 2, 3, 4.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.