PRP Tube with ACD Gel

Steroids are used extensively in medical settings because of their potent role in providing immediate symptomatic relief. They work by suppressing immunity and thus decreasing inflammation – the mechanism driving the pathological changes associated with a disease.  The efficacy of steroids is well proven in many emergency conditions too. Where, on the one hand, they are an effective mode of treating critical conditions, the disastrous effects associated with their long-term use are well documented.

While they work by reducing the inflammatory activities in the affected region and halting the ongoing damage to the healthy tissue, they do not have any role in reversing or healing the damaged tissue. Thus, the effect is limited to time, and once it subsides, the inflammation returns. Consequently, the patient eventually becomes dependent on steroids for the long term.

PRP, on the other hand, is a biologically derived product from the patient’s own blood. When applied to the diseased site, it releases a number of growth factors and sets a cascade of healing events in motion. These substances enhance the natural healing ability of the body as well as reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, providing long-term relief. Since the inflamed tissue is already extremely vulnerable to infections, steroids being immunosuppressants are clearly not an ideal choice. Some studies suggest that PRP possesses antimicrobial activity as well and thus acts as a barrier against superimposed infections.