Intralesional steroid injections injected into specific areas of the body to help them heal. These typically given by a specialist in a hospital. They usually take a few days to start working, though some can work immediately. The injection site may be numb or sore, so you may need to rest the affected area for a few hours after the injection. You should also make sure the area surrounding the injection remains clean for 24 hours. Intralesional steroid injections commonly performed on patients with esophageal strictures. The literature on these treatments describes that patients typically receive two or more injections. One systematic review of literature found that patients with esophageal strictures received an average of 2.5 injections; some even received more than ten local steroid injections. Although this is a common procedure for many patients, there are few clear safety data on this procedure. Intralesional steroid injections work by suppressing local inflammation and preventing collagen from further building up in the skin. This can be particularly effective when the affected area is abnormally thick. Similarly, they can help reduce inflammation in patches of hair loss, allowing hair to regrow. Depending on the exact cause of the problem, you may require several treatments. Compared to topical steroids, intralesional steroid injections have less adverse side effects than systemic corticosteroids. Most patients will experience less pain and less swelling, and the treatment is more effective in certain cases.