Betamethasone cream and ointment are effective topical treatments for inflamed skin. Using the active ingredient known as betamethasone, the cream will reduce any itching and redness associated with common skin conditions such as:

Eczema
Psoriasis
Dermatitis

Betamethasone cream is an unbranded version of Betnovate and both contain the same active ingredient.

Betamethasone falls into the category of topical corticosteroid or topical steroids. Topical steroids such as this product should be used in addition to your usual moisturiser in order to treat and manage your skin condition effectively.

Betamethasone will relive any symptoms associated with skin flare-ups and inflammation, as well as irritation and redness.

While this treatment is not a cure for your skin condition, it will help you to manage the symptoms, drastically improving your quality of life. Using betamethasone has been proven to treat afflictions all throughout the body, from your scalp, all the way to the soles of your feet.

Inflammation can arise for a number of reasons, usually as a result of a skin irritant or allergic reaction. When your body detects such an inflammation it will release various chemicals which cause your blood vessels to widen, creating the swollen, itchy, redness, known as inflammation.

Once Betamethasone has been topically applied it will begin to work directly within your cells, decreasing the inflammatory chemicals and reducing the swelling and redness associated with your skin condition. The cream can also be used for other inflammations as well, such as allergies or irritants, bodily reactions to insect bites and stings, as well as rashes caused by local problems.

The active ingredient Betamethasone is available in a wide variety of preparations. If your skin is moist or weeping then you will usually be prescribed Betamethasone cream. If your skin is dry then an ointment might be a more appropriate treatment as it has a greasier texture. And for larger areas, a lotion could be a better choice. Betamethasone is also available as a scalp treatment.

The ingredient Betamethasone can be combined with other beneficial ingredients to deliver antibacterial, antibiotic, and antifungal treatments. Some of these include betamestahasne C and Fucibet. The combined formulas can be used to treat inflammation in conjunction with infections.

The vast majority of people that use Betamethasone cream and ointment will experience no adverse side effects at all. If you do, then you should speak to your doctor. The chance of experiencing side effects will increase with prolonged use. This medication should never be used long term as it increases the chance of unwanted side effects like excessive hair growth or thinning of the skin.

In general, children should not use Betamethasone. However, short courses can be prescribed by a dermatologist and will usually not exceed 2 weeks.

There are some versions of betamethasone based medications which contain antibacterial ingredients such as clioquinol and neomycin; and some which contain antifungal ingredients such as clotrimazole. These treatments will usually be prescribed for short term use if you are suffering from an infection. These treatments should be used twice daily for no longer than a week.

Non-Prescription Alternatives for Eczema can include;

Moisturisers and emollients

Bath and Shower Gels

Cotton Gloves (To keep from scratching)

Antihistamine tablets (To ease the itching)

*Prescription medicines are supplied subject to a medical consultation at the discretion of a doctor.

You should thoroughly wash and dry your hands before applying any topical cream, ointment, or lotion. You should also clean and dry the affected area. Apply a small amount of treatment to the area and rub in gently up to three times a day. The affected area should not be bandaged or covered in any way unless you have been specifically advised to by a medical professional.

Unless your affliction is present on your hands, always wash them after use. If applying any Betamethasone product to your face, take care to not get any in your eyes as this can cause or worsen glaucoma. If you do get any in your eyes clean them immediately with lots of water.

If, after two weeks, your condition has not improved or has worsened you should speak with your doctor.

Side effects are uncommon when using Betamethasone cream, however some potential side effects can include:

A burning sensation when the cream is applied
Increased itchiness when the cream is applied
Propylene glycol can cause allergic reactions in some people
Cetostearyl alcohol can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis)
Chlorocresol can also cause allergic reactions.

If you have any concerns regarding any of the information listed above, or you experience a side effect no on this list, then cease usage and speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

Before using Betamethasone cream you should read the following warnings, in order to make sure that this is the correct treatment for you.

Betamethasone cream should not be used in certain circumstances, including:

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed above.
If you are treating a child under 1 year old.

Betamethasone should not be used on certain conditions, including:

Acne
Rosacea
Peri-oral dermatitis
Skin infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi, such as cold sores, herpes, chickenpox, impetigo, ringworm, athlete’s foot or thrush.

Betamethasone should not be applied to:

Itchy areas without inflammation
The anal area (unless specified by the doctor)
The genital area (unless specified by the doctor)

Special care should be taken when using Betamethasone cream if:

You suffer from an allergic reaction (ie itchy skin and redness) after initial use.
You are applying the cream to a leg ulcer.
You must apply the cream to your face where the skin is thinner.
You get any cream in your eyes, rinse immediately.
You have psoriasis your doctor may want to review your progress at regular interviews in order to assess continued treatment.

If you have recently taken, or are currently taking any other medications then you should tell your doctor before beginning a treatment of Betamethasone.

Delivery & Shipping Information

Please note that due to the current situation with COVID-19, Royal Mail are only operating alternate day deliveries to many households (Mon, Wed, Fri or Tues, Thurs, Sat). This may mean that your order takes longer to arrive than you would normally expect. We are working hard to ensure that, where possible, all orders placed before 3pm are still dispatched the same working day.

UK Orders

We offer FREE standard tracked delivery on orders over £40.

The following delivery options are available:

Standard Tracked Delivery - 3 - 5 day delivery - £2.95
Express Tracked Delivery - 1 - 3 day delivery - £4.45
DPD Next Day - 1 - 2 working days - £6.95
Special Delivery (Guaranteed before 1pm) - £8.95 (Currently unavailable)
Saturday Guaranteed before 1pm - £10.45 (Currently unavailable)

Important Delivery Information

All our orders are sent out using Royal Mail (unless stated). We always aim to dispatch all Royal Mail orders received before 4pm the same working day. Any orders received after 4pm or over the weekend will be dispatched the next working day. We aim to dispatch all DPD orders placed before 3pm on the same working day. Orders will not be dispatched on weekends or bank holidays.

All orders are subject to approval by our team of doctors and pharmacists. Your delivery date in the checkout is subject to your consultation being approved by our healthcare team.

All orders can be fully tracked from your dispatch email and in your account.

We ensure all parcels are in plain packaging for discreet delivery of your medicines and pharmacy goods. Where possible, we will attempt to size all parcels to fit through your letterbox in tamper-proof packaging. By placing an order on our website, you confirm that it is safe and appropriate for a package containing medicines to be posted through your letterbox, if the carrier is able to do so. You should notify our customer support team if it is not safe for the package to be posted through the letterbox, for example due to animals or small children.

Deliveries containing pharmacy-only or prescription medicines may require a signature on receipt.

Delivery is free for all NHS prescriptions.

Royal Mail

Royal Mail are the most widely recognised mail delivery company in the UK. Being on the UK’s 29 million doorsteps six days a week means they offer unparalleled price and convenience. The Independent Pharmacy uses Royal Mail’s Tracked 48, Tracked 24, and Special Delivery Guaranteed parcel services to offer reliable, fully-tracked delivery at very competitive prices. Your Royal Mail parcel will arrive with your normal daily delivery of post.

Please note: Royal Mail do not deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays - this should be taken into account when ordering.

If you are not home to accept your delivery, a card should be left by the Royal Mail representative. This card will provide details of where you can collect the order or how to arrange re-delivery.

Should you be unable to collect your missed delivery or arrange for your medication to be redelivered by Royal Mail, the pharmacy can resend your medication to the same, or a different address provided it has been returned to us and this happens within a 30 day window.

Once a package has been shipped with Royal Mail we advise that you are bound to the terms and conditions of their use together with the terms and conditions contained herein.

You have the right to cancel your order up to the point when your treatment is dispatched. The pharmacist must destroy any medication within 30 days of it being returned, even un-opened boxes, so we are not able to offer refunds once your treatment has been dispatched.

DPD

DPD Local is the most innovative parcel carrier around. Thanks to their industry-leading Predict service, they provide parcel recipients with a one hour delivery window, notified by email, so you don't have to wait in all day. What's more, it enables receivers to watch the progress of their delivery on a real-time map, all the way down to a final 15 minute time-slot.

As well as keeping customers informed at every stage of the journey, DPD believe in maximising choice and convenience. That's why DPD provide access to a suite of options both on the day of delivery and the night before, allowing customers to take delivery of their goods in a way that suits. If you wish to reschedule, you can:

Select an alternative delivery date
Opt for delivery to a nominated neighbour
Have the parcel left in a specified safe place
Collect the parcel from your local DPD Pickup Shop
Upgrade delivery to By 12

Please note: DPD do not deliver on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays - this should be taken into account when ordering.

Once a package has been shipped with DPD we advise that you are bound to the terms and conditions of their use together with the terms and conditions contained herein.

Forwarding houses

We are unable to ship orders to mailing or forwarding houses for onwards shipping to locations outside of the UK.

BFPO Postcodes

Unfortunately we are unable to deliver medicines to BFPO postcodes.

Remote Areas

Please be aware that Royal Mail Guaranteed services are not available to all customers in the UK, especially those that live in remote postcodes. Royal Mail advise customers of the following:

We deliver by 5.30pm the next working day in the following postcode areas:
AB30 - 39, 41 - 45, 51 - 56
GY9 Alderney (Channel Islands)
HS1, 3 - 9
IV21 - 28, 40 - 49, 51 - 56
KA27, 28
KW1 - 3, 5 - 15
KW16 Stromness Town only
PA20 (0&9)
PA28 - 38, 41 - 49, 76, 77
PH15, 17 - 26, 31 - 40, 49, 50
ZE1

We deliver within two working days by 5.30pm to the following postcodes areas:
GY1 Herm (Channel Islands)
GY9 Sark (Channel Islands)
GY10
HS2
PA60 - 75, 78
ZE2, 3

We deliver within three working days by 5.30pm to the following postcode areas:
KW16 - non-Town
KW17
PH30, 41 - 44

Please note: This applies to our 'Special Delivery' and 'Saturday Guaranteed' services.