Eumovate

Eumovate is the brand name for the active ingredient clobetasone butyrate, which is a corticosteroid used for the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and some other chronic skin conditions. This medication relieves the itching, soreness and swelling that can occur as a result of eczema or psoriasis. These symptoms can be extremely painful and uncomfortable and can occur in an ‘itch-scratch-itch’ cycle, meaning that the condition never gets a chance to heal or improve. When a person suffers from these skin conditions, the reaction causes the blood vessels to expand and release chemicals which cause the irritation. Eumovate works by stopping the release of the chemicals that cause this.

Eumovate is the brand name for the active ingredient clobetasone butyrate, which is a corticosteroid used for the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and some other chronic skin conditions. This medication relieves the itching, soreness and swelling that can occur as a result of eczema or psoriasis. These symptoms can be extremely painful and uncomfortable and can occur in an ‘itch-scratch-itch’ cycle, meaning that the condition never gets a chance to heal or improve. When a person suffers from these skin conditions, the reaction causes the blood vessels to expand and release chemicals which cause the irritation. Eumovate works by stopping the release of the chemicals that cause this.

Eumovate is a steroid and comes in the form of a cream or an ointment. The presentation of the condition will depend on whether cream or ointment is used. The cream works better on moist skin conditions whereas the ointment is thicker and greasier, and so is used for dry and flaky skin. Which type of Eumovate to use is a personal choice, although some people find the cream easier to rub in and thus suitable for larger areas, whereas the ointment can be more effective on smaller patches of skin.

Steroids are commonly used to treat skin conditions. However, they should not be used consistently long-term as they can cause thinning of the skin and in some cases can be absorbed into the bloodstream, which may cause internal damage.

There are four levels of steroid strength:

• Mild;
• Moderate;
• Potent;
• Very potent.

Eumovate is a ‘moderate’ treatment and is stronger than standard over-the-counter medication for skin conditions. Eumovate cream and Eumovate ointment are usually only recommended for a maximum of four weeks when an eczema or psoriasis flare-up occurs. An improvement in symptoms when using Eumovate can usually be seen after a few days.

Eumovate cream or Eumovate ointment is used when a person has a severe skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis. It treats the inflammation and symptoms of these conditions, such as itching and redness. This medication is stronger than over-the-counter anti-inflammatory treatments such as hydrocortisone creams.

It can also be used for other conditions such as:

• Contact dermatitis;
• Atopic dermatitis;
• Insect stings and bites if there are swelling and redness;
• Prickly heat to calm the itching and rash caused by excessing perspiring due to the body overheating;
• Nappy rash (only on the advice of a doctor).

Eumovate is used for the short-term relief of the above conditions and should not be used for more than four weeks as it is a steroid medication. Using steroid skin treatments for a long period of time is not recommended as they can cause thinning of the skin. Eumovate is suitable for adults and children over 12 years of age. It is only be used for younger children (such as for nappy rash) on the advice of a doctor.

Eczema is a common skin condition that occurs for various reasons, including contact with an irritant, sweating or stress. Anyone can get eczema at any time of their life. Sometimes a person may have it continuously, whereas others may only experience a few times in their lives. It can be hereditary or occur due to particular factors such as:

• Not wearing gloves when cleaning or gardening;
• Not drying the skin correctly;
• Exposure to certain products such as soap or household cleaners;
• Exposure to certain metals such as nickel;
• Washing the hands too often;
• Certain fabrics;
• Scratching the skin.

Eczema can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the backs of the knees, inside the elbow joints and on the hands and feet. When a person has eczema, the skin barrier becomes damaged and thus is sensitive to irritants and bacteria. This makes it unable to hold moisture well, and so the skin can become dry and irritated. Thorough moisturising can help treat eczema, as this protects the outer layers of the skin. Whatever the situation, eczema can be a painful and debilitating condition that affects daily life. If you have eczema, it is important to know what sets off the condition and how to manage it. Eczema is not an allergy or an infection. However, untreated eczema can become infected due to continuous scratching and bacteria entering the site.

Psoriasis is different from eczema as it is an autoimmune condition that occurs when extra skin cells form, causing scaly, dry and silvery-coloured patches. Usually, the skin cells reproduce every three-to-four weeks, but this only takes around three- to-seven days in psoriasis. It is caused by an immune system problem and happens when the system attacks healthy skin cells. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body and can be itchy and painful. It ranges from mild to severe and can affect a person’s quality of life. As with eczema, there is not a cure, but the condition can be managed. It can occur during different times of a person’s life.

It is believed that psoriasis can be hereditary. Other common triggers are:

• Stress;
• Skin injury;
• Skin infections;
• Smoking;
• Drinking excess alcohol;
• Vitamin D deficiency.

Both eczema and psoriasis and other skin conditions can have a psychological effect on a person. They may cause low self- esteem and concern about the effect the condition has on their appearance. This can sometimes lead to depression and not wanting to leave the house or attend social occasions. Acute skin conditions can be difficult to live with, and learning how to manage them can make a great difference to a person’s quality of life.

Eumovate cream and Eumovate ointment can treat the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis and help a person to manage their condition. Understanding and knowing how to avoid triggers is also important. This medication can also be used between treatment with other steroid creams to manage eczema and psoriasis, depending on the strength of the flare-up. In severe cases, sometimes stronger treatments are required to give more effective relief.

Eumovate cream and Eumovate ointment are applied by gently rubbing a fingertip-sized amount over the affected area. A fingertip is considered to be the distance from the tip of the finger to its first bend. This medication should only be applied in a thin layer and the hands must be washed immediately before and after the application. Do not apply any other products to the skin (medical or non-medical) for 30 minutes after using Eumovate cream or Eumovate ointment, to allow time for it to be absorbed. If you wish to cover the area with a bandage or plaster, you should wait for 10 minutes.

Eumovate should not be used for more than four continuous weeks as it can cause a thinning of the skin. You should see an improvement in your skin condition within a few days after starting to use Eumovate cream or Eumovate ointment. If you do not see an improvement within a week, stop using this medication and discuss an alternative with your doctor or pharmacist. You should discuss using Eumovate cream or Eumovate ointment with a doctor if you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant or are breastfeeding.

The usual dosage of Eumovate is a fingertip- sized amount on the affected area once or twice a day. Do not use more than this to speed up the action of the medication, as it can cause damage to the skin.

Possible side effects of using Eumovate cream and Eumovate ointment include rashes, itching, a burning or stinging sensation and increased hair growth. A full list of the side effects can be found in the package leaflet. If you are concerned about any side effects, you experience when using this medication you should talk to your doctor. Eumovate cream and Eumovate ointment should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

In rare cases, long-term use of Eumovate cream or Eumovate ointment in children and teenagers can cause a slowing in their growth. If Eumovate is to be used by this age group, their height and weight should be regularly measured by a doctor, and their use of the medication reviewed.

You should not use Eumovate cream or Eumovate ointment if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed on the package leaflet. Also, you should not use Eumovate on:

• Broken skin;
• Open wounds;
• The face;
• Rosacea;
• Acne, spots;
• Bacterial infections (such as impetigo);
• Fungal infections (such as thrush).

As with all medicines, Eumovate can interact with other medications you are taking. It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking before using Eumovate cream or Eumovate ointment, no matter what they are. This includes herbal medicines.

You can buy Eumovate cream and Eumovate ointment from a pharmacy.

Yes, you can obtain Eumovate cream and Eumovate ointment without a prescription.

Clobetasone. (2019, August 8). Retrieved 16 March 2020 from https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/clobetasone/

Eumovate Cream. (2019, 14 October). Retrieved 16 March 2020 from https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3807/smpc

How Eumovate Works. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2020 from http://www.vaniqa.com/how-vaniqa-can-help

NATIONAL EXCEMA SOCIETY. (n.d.). Retrieved 16 March 2020 from http://www.eczema.org/

NATIONAL PSORIASIS FOUNDATION. (n.d.) Retrieved 16 March 2020 from https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis