Betamethasone 0.1% Cream & Ointment

What is Betamethasone Cream & Ointment and what is it used for?

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

• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Dermatitis

Betamethasone cream is an unbranded (generic) 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.

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.

How does Betamethasone work?

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.

Alternatives to Betamethasone

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

Sources

• Betamethasone 0.1% Cream, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• Betamethasone 0.1% Ointment, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...