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
Key facts
- Only use a steroid skin treatment if your doctor prescribes it for you. Do not use someone else's medicine.
- It's important to follow the instructions when using a steroid skin treatment. This helps to avoid side effects.
- Only use betamethasone on your face if your doctor says it's OK.
- Betamethasone will not help with skin conditions such as impetigo, rosacea and acne.
- If you use betamethasone for a long time your doctor might advise you to reduce your dose gradually to avoid withdrawal reactions.
- Other betamethasone brand names include Audavate, Bettamousse, Betesil, Fucibet, Xemacort and Diprosone.