Betamethasone for skin

Betamethasone skin treatments are used to treat itching, swollen and irritated skin. They can help with conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis.

Betamethasone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (also called a corticosteroid). Steroids are copies of a hormone your body makes naturally. They're not the same as anabolic steroids.

It works by stopping chemicals being released into the skin when you have an allergic reaction or when your skin is irritated. Betamethasone skin treatments help to reduce the swelling, redness and itching.

Betamethasone skin treatments are stronger than some other skin treatments such as hydrocortisone. Betamethasone is usually prescribed when other medicines have not worked.

Betamethasone skin treatments are available on prescription only. They come as:

• creams
• ointments
• lotions
• scalp treatments (lotions and foams)
• medicated plasters

Sometimes betamethasone is combined with other ingredients to treat skin infections or other skin conditions.

Betamethasone also comes as:

• an eye ointment or drops for your eyes, ears or nose to treat allergies and inflammation
• tablets and injections to treat allergies, inflammation and autoimmune conditions

Most adults aged 18 years old or over can use betamethasone skin treatments.

Medicated plasters are only suitable for adults.

Children aged 1 year old and over can use most other betamethasone skin treatments. Occasionally a specialist may prescribe them for a younger child. However, some betamethasone creams and foams will only be prescribed for children aged 6 years old and over.

Betamethasone may not be suitable for some people.

To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or a pharmacist if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to betamethasone, any of the ingredients, or any other medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have impetigo, acne, rosacea (including rosacea around your mouth, called perioral dermatitis) or a type of psoriasis called plaque psoriasis
• have a skin infection
• have broken skin, cuts or itchy skin that is not inflamed or red

Creams are best for skin that's moist and weepy. Ointments are thicker and greasier and are better for dry or flaky areas of skin.

You'll usually use betamethasone skin cream or ointment once or twice a day.

How much to put on

The amount of cream or ointment you need to use is sometimes measured by how much you can squeeze onto the end of your finger (a fingertip unit).

As a general rule, a fingertip unit of cream is enough to treat an area that's twice the size of the palm of your hand.

A fingertip unit of cream

For children, the right amount of cream or ointment depends on their age. A doctor or pharmacist can advise you.

If you're prescribed a combination cream containing betamethasone and an antibiotic, follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

How to apply cream or ointment

1. Wash and dry your hands and then squeeze out the right amount.
2. Spread the cream or ointment in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin.
3. Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction that your hair grows.
4. Use the cream or ointment on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas.
5. Be careful not to get the cream or ointment on broken skin or cuts.
6. Wash your hands afterwards, unless you're treating the skin on your hands.

Do not use betamethasone skin cream or ointment at the same time as any other creams or ointments, such as a moisturiser or emollient. Wait at least 30 minutes before using any other skin products after you put on betamethasone cream or ointment.

If you need to use a dressing, like a bandage or plaster, wait at least 10 minutes after putting betamethasone on.

If you're treating a child, do not cover the cream or ointment with dressings or bandages. Using a dressing or bandage can increase the chance of side effects.

If your doctor has prescribed it to treat very severe nappy rash, ask them how much to use and how long to use it for.

Skin creams can dry onto your clothes and bedding. This makes them more likely to catch fire. Avoid naked flames and smoking.

Lotion is best for treating large or hairier areas of skin.

You'll usually use betamethasone skin lotion once or twice a day.

Use a small amount of lotion on the affected areas of skin.

How to apply lotion

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Spread the lotion in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin.
3. Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction that your hair grows.
4. Use the lotion on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas.
5. Be careful not to get the lotion on broken skin or cuts.
6. Wash your hands afterwards, unless you're treating the skin on your hands.

Skin lotions can dry onto your clothes and bedding. This makes them more likely to catch fire. Avoid naked flames and smoking.

You'll usually use the scalp lotion twice a day. You can use it once a day or less often when your condition improves.

If you have washed your hair, dry it properly before using the scalp lotion.

How to apply scalp lotion

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Apply a thin layer of the lotion over the area of your scalp that needs to be treated. You do not have to rub the lotion in.
3. Allow your scalp to dry naturally without using a hair dryer.
4. Wash your hands afterwards.

You can use the foam up to twice a day. You can use it once a day or less often when your condition improves.

For children, the amount of foam will depend on their size.

How to apply scalp foam

Different brands of scalp foam may have differences in the specific instructions for how to apply them. Always follow the instructions that come with the medicine.

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Massage a small amount of foam into your scalp. Use no more than a golf-ball sized amount of mousse.
3. Allow your scalp to dry naturally without using a hair dryer.
4. Wash your hands afterwards.

Medicated plasters are for small areas of skin and thickened skin affected by psoriasis.

Do not reuse plasters. Use a new plaster on the same patch of skin every 24 hours. Wait at least 30 minutes between taking off an old plaster and putting on a new one.

Do not get the plaster wet. It's best to have a shower or bath after taking off the old plaster and before putting on a new one.

You can use up to 6 plasters on different areas of skin each day.

How to apply medicated plasters

1. Wash and dry your skin before using the plaster.
2. Cut the plaster to fit the area that you're treating if you need to.
3. Stick the plaster on the affected skin.
4. Wash your hands afterwards.

Most people only need to use betamethasone skin treatments for a short time. Use it for as long as your doctor has recommended. However, if your skin gets better sooner, check with your doctor before you stop using it.

If you stop using it too soon, your condition could come back. If you need to restart treatment, this could increase how long you need to use it for and so you're more likely to get side effects.

For long-term skin problems, such as eczema or psoriasis, you may need to use it for 1 or 2 weeks, or sometimes longer.

To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may recommend that you only use betamethasone skin treatments for a few weeks at a time or for a day or two each week.

Once your skin is better, you can use moisturisers to keep it from becoming inflamed again.

Do not use the medicated plasters for more than 30 days.

If you're using the scalp foam, or are using betamethasone on your face, ask your doctor or pharmacist how long to use it for.

Children must not use the scalp application or foam for more than 5 to 7 days. Follow the instructions that come with the medicine.

If you're using the cream, ointment or lotion, tell your doctor if your skin gets worse or does not improve within 2 to 4 weeks (or 5 days for a child).

Do not use the skin cream, ointment or lotion for more than 4 weeks without talking to your doctor. If you need treatment for a long time, they may decide you need to use a milder cream or ointment.

If you forget to use your betamethasone skin treatment, use it as soon as you remember unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and apply the next one at the usual time.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to use your medicines.

Using more than the recommended amount of your betamethasone skin treatment is unlikely to harm you.

• you swallow any betamethasone skin treatment
• you use a large amount of betamethasone and start to feel unwell

Go to 111 online or call 111 . Call 111 if you're asking about a child under 5 years old.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the betamethasone packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Talk to your doctor before stopping treatment if you've been using betamethasone for a long time. They may tell you to gradually use less of it, and use it less often, before you stop completely. This reduces the chance of your symptoms coming back.

Using betamethasone for a long time can increase the risk of having a withdrawal reaction when you stop using it. You might have a burning feeling and redness, although this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin.

The reaction will feel different to the skin condition you've been using betamethasone for. It may cover a larger area than the area you were treating.

If you get a withdrawal reaction or your condition comes back within 2 weeks of stopping betamethasone, do not start using it again without checking with your doctor.

Some people get a burning or stinging feeling for a few minutes when they put betamethasone on their skin. This stops happening after you've been using it for a few days.

If you get lighter or darker patches on your skin (this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin) these are a sign of changes to the pigment in your skin. Speak to your doctor if this happens.

Speak to a doctor if your condition gets worse while you're using betamethasone skin treatments, or comes back within 2 weeks of stopping treatment. Do not start using beclomethasone again without speaking to a doctor.

Serious side effects are rare. They happen to less than 1 in 10,000 people who use betamethasone skin treatments. You're more likely to have a serious side effect if you use betamethasone on a large area of skin for a long time.

Using betamethasone for a long time can make your skin thinner or cause stretch marks. Stretch marks are likely to be permanent, but they usually fade over time.

Call a doctor or call 111 and stop using betamethasone straight away if:

• your skin becomes swollen, yellow fluid is weeping from your skin or your skin becomes redder (redness may be less obvious on brown or black skin) – these are signs of a new skin infection or an existing one getting worse
• you're using betamethasone for psoriasis and you get raised bumps filled with pus under your skin
• you have a very upset stomach or you're being sick (vomiting), you feel very tired or very dizzy or start to faint, you get muscle weakness, have mood changes, loss of appetite and weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
• you feel confused, sleepy, more thirsty or hungry than usual, pee more often, start breathing quickly or your breath smells of fruit – these can be signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
• you have any new problems with your eyesight after starting to use betamethasone

Serious allergic reaction

It happens rarely, but it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to betamethasone.

Call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Using betamethasone for a long time without stopping can mean some of the medicine gets into your blood.

If this happens, there's a very small chance it can cause serious side effects, such as adrenal gland problems, high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia), or problems with your eyesight.

If you've been using betamethasone for a long time, your doctor may tell you to gradually reduce the amount you use before stopping completely.

If you've been using betamethasone for a long time, you may have a skin reaction within a few days or weeks after stopping treatment (topical steroid withdrawal reaction). You might have a burning feeling and redness, although this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin. If this happens, ask your doctor for advice.

Long-term side effects in children and teenagers

In very rare cases, using betamethasone skin treatments for a long time can slow the normal growth of children and teenagers.

Your child's doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully if they need to use this medicine often. This will help them to notice if your child's growth is being affected and they can change the treatment if needed.

Even if your child's growth slows down, it does not seem to have much effect on their eventual adult height.

Talk to your doctor if you're worried. They'll be able to explain the benefits and risks of your child using betamethasone.

These are not all the side effects of betamethasone. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Betamethasone skin treatments are safe to use during pregnancy.

Because it's applied to your skin, very little medicine gets into your blood and almost none gets to your baby. Even if a small amount does get to your baby, it will not harm them.

You can use betamethasone skin treatments while you're breastfeeding. But try to apply it to the smallest areas possible and try to avoid using it for long periods of time.

It's not known how much passes into breast milk, but it's likely to be a tiny amount. It's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

Take care that your baby does not touch any areas of your body where you've used betamethasone.

If you need to treat your breasts, it might be better to use a medicine that's less strong. However, if your doctor or pharmacist advises you to use betamethasone, wash off any cream or ointment from your breasts or nipples, then wash your hands before feeding your baby. The cream is better to use as it's easier to wash off.

Skin treatments containing betamethasone may also contain other ingredients such as antibacterials and antifungals. It's still OK to use them while breastfeeding.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

There's no evidence that betamethasone affects fertility in either men or women.

• you're breastfeeding and you want to use betamethasone

It's very unlikely that other medicines will affect the way betamethasone skin treatments work.

If you're also using any other skin treatment, make sure you wait about 30 minutes between using betamethasone and using the other skin treatment.

Tell a pharmacist or doctor if you're taking:

• medicines used to treat HIV, such as ritonavir or cobicistat
• medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as itraconazole
• other medicines that contain steroids, such as eczema creams, asthma inhalers, steroid tablets, injections, nasal spray, and eye or nose drops

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with betamethasone. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.