Synalar is a corticosteroid gel commonly prescribed for the treatment of various skin conditions, most notably, psoriasis. Developed and marketed in the UK by GP Pharma pharmaceutical company, Synalar is manufactured in several different versions:

  • Synalar 1 in 4 cream
  • Synalar 1 in 10 cream
  • Synalar gel
  • Synalar N ointment

In all its forms, Synalar is a topical medication that has achieved formidable results in soothing inflammation and alleviating skin irritation, allowing the skin cells to regenerate in a healthy way. This simple to use treatment is intended to be used for no longer than one week, but due to its high efficiency, it is enough for successful psoriasis management and treatment.

What’s on this page?

Should I be using Synalar?

This is one question that can be answered only by your doctor. As a corticosteroid medication, Synalar is a prescription medication and as such, it can be obtained only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. When assessing your suitability for Synalar, the doctor will consider several variables which are specific for each individual case:

  • What causes psoriasis (onset of flare ups)
  • What was the result of management strategies
  • Is there something that can make Synalar use contraindicated

Below, we will discuss these factors and present you with several scenarios that might take place.

Diagnosing psoriasis and establishing cause of psoriasis

In some cases, psoriasis can be the result of an underlying medical condition or a side effect of certain medications you might be taking, so these are the cases that the doctor will attempt to rule out prior to issuing Synalar prescription. This medication, just like other corticosteroid psoriasis treatments can be effective only if this is not the case. Alternatively, the doctor will either attempt to treat the medical condition that is at the root of psoriasis or change the medications that might be causing the issue, prescribing safer alternatives instead.

Psoriasis triggers & psoriasis management strategies

However, even if no exact medical cause can be identified, the doctor is still not likely to prescribed Synalar or similar medications just yet. This is so because the medical scientists researching psoriasis have managed to single out various triggers which are now known to be directly tied to psoriasis outbreaks. Obviously, by avoiding those triggers, you will be able to keep your psoriasis under control without any need for intrusive and sometimes aggressive corticosteroid medications. So, these avoidance strategies will likely be recommended as primary method of managing the condition.

Some of the identified triggers are:

  • Stress
  • Tobacco
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Disrupted sleep schedule
  • Contact allergens
  • Certain cosmetic products (shampoos and shower gels)

Nothing works – how do I get rid of psoriasis fast?

If the options mentioned above fail to achieve the desired results, then the use of prescription medications such as Synalar might be the last remaining option to bring your psoriasis under control.

However, prior to issuing a prescription, the doctor will first have to get a detailed insight into your medical profile and history. The way that this can be accomplished will vary depending on whether you are looking to buy Synalar online or obtain it the “traditional” way, by going to the appointment with your doctor and then waiting in line at a pharmacy to use your prescription and actually get the medication. We will discuss the former below.

Can I buy Synalar online in the UK?

Even though it is a prescription-only medication due to its high corticosteroid content, this psoriasis treatment can be obtained without leaving the comfort of your home. If you are looking to buy Synalar online in the UK, you will be able to do that through any of numerous online clinics that operate within the country.

The functionality of the website will provide you with an opportunity to consult the doctor completely online. On top of that, you will be asked to fill in a detailed and specialised medical questionnaire that the doctor will use in order to determine your suitability for using Synalar. If everything checks out, the prescription will be issued and used to have the medication sent from the partner pharmacy to the address you provided during the sign up process. If not, the doctor will recommend you an alternative that will be much more suitable for you, like Beclometasone, for example.

How does Synalar help with psoriasis?

Different versions of Synalar discussed above have certain slight variations in their mechanism of actions, but what is shared by all forms of the medication is the active ingredient, a corticosteroid called fluocinolone acetonide. This pharmaceutical compound will inhibit the inflammatory chemicals in the area where the medication is applied.

But what causes those inflammatory compounds to be present at the first place? This question is directly tied to the question of what is the main cause of psoriasis. Sadly, the medical experts have yet to provide us with the final answer to this. The root causes of psoriasis are not yet fully understood, but what is known is that autoimmune response is what directly causes the characteristic symptoms – irritation and redness which eventually evolve into flaking of the skin and prominent scaly appearance.

This occurs because psoriasis symptoms will manifest once the immune system detects an infection that isn’t really present which will in turn cause the inflammatory chemicals released by the body’s natural defences to attack healthy skin cells, damaging them and disrupting the balance between skin shedding and generating new skin cells, causing the characteristic scaly appearance.

What are differences between various Synalar forms?

While main active ingredient will efficiently prevent these inflammatory chemicals to affect the skin, allowing it to heal and regenerate, Synalar N ointment will also prevent an infection in the affected area due to the presence of neomycin sulphate, an antibiotic which is highly affect at fighting off both bacterial and fungal infections which can take place on the damaged psoriasis-affected patch of skin.

As for other variants of Synalar, the main difference is in the strength – concentration of the active ingredient. Synalar 1 in 10 cream is the lowest concentrated dose, followed by 1 in 4 cream. Synalar ointment and gel are the strongest versions of the medication.

What are Synalar side effects?

  • Thinning of the skin
  • Stinging, swelling, itching or burning at the site of application
  • Blistering or peeling at the site of application
  • Rash
  • Dryness of the skin
  • Red marks
  • Inflammation of the hair follicles
  • Excessive hair growth
  • Skin discolouration

Please note that this is not a complete list of all documented Synalar side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet.

Any signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction should be immediately reported to your doctor or the local emergency service as these side effects may require cessation of the treatment.