What is Eumovate?
Eumovate Cream & Ointment contains Clobetasol butyrate. It is made specifically for use on inflamed areas including those on the face, scalp, hands, and feet. Clobetasone butyrate is much gentler than other corticosteroids and is suitable for use in children and adults over the age of 12 years. The active ingredients aim to reduce irritation, inflammation, and other eczema-related symptoms.
What conditions can Eumovate Cream & Ointment treat?
Eumovate is used to treat eczema and dermatitis by helping you to control patches of dry, itchy, inflamed, flaky, and sore skin.
It’s commonly used to improve the following conditions:
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
- Prickly heat rash
It is also recommended that:
- Eumovate cream is used for areas of moist or weeping skin.
- Eumovate ointment is used for areas of dry, flakey, or scaly skin.
In most cases, Eumovate Cream & Ointment is very effective in treating the above conditions fairly quickly depending on the severity of your condition.
What shouldn’t Eumovate Cream & Ointment be used for?
It’s important to always use the cream as advised to see the best results and remain safe. If you are unsure, check the Patient Information Leaflet for more information or seek advice from a GP or pharmacist.
Eumovate cream should not be used on:
- Open wounds or areas of broken skin
- Insect bites
- Acne, spots, or rosacea
- Bacterial infections such as impetigo
- Fungal infections including thrush
- The face, genitals, or between the toes
Directions
How do you apply Eumovate Cream & Ointment?
After washing your hands apply a thin, even layer of Eumovate to the affected area of skin normally once or twice a day. If you are using airtight dressings on your skin be sure to clean the area before applying the ointment then recover the area with a new dressing.
For those using other moisturisers or treatments alongside Eumovate, you are advised to wait at least 30 minutes between applications to any dilution. Eumovate should not be used for more than four weeks. If you do not notice an improvement in the condition of your skin within 7 days of starting treatment, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
How does Eumovate Cream & Ointment work?
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory treatments. When the body produces inflammatory chemicals in response to an allergen or irritation, the skin becomes inflamed. These chemicals cause blood vessels to dilate, causing swelling, itching, and pain in the skin. Corticosteroids keep this from happening by preventing cells from releasing large amounts of these substances.
The active ingredient reduces dryness, redness, and itchiness by preventing the release of inflammatory substances within skin cells. Eumovate cream is also moisturising, which helps to keep skin smooth and flake-free.
However, it is only a temporary solution because using corticosteroids on the skin for more than a few weeks can cause skin thinning and even permanent damage. It is recommended that you use Eumovate for eczema for no more than 7 days, at the same time every day. Furthermore, we recommend that people with eczema or dermatitis use emollient skin products, such as Dermol Shower Emollient, to help improve their condition over time.
Is Eumovate a steroid product?
Eumovate cream and ointment do contain the steroid clobetasol corticosteroid. It’s used to reduce skin inflammation caused by conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.
Side Effects
What are the possible side effects?
As with all medications, there are a few possible (though rare) side effects.
Reported side effects include:
- Pus-filled lumps under the skin (pustular psoriasis) if used on psoriasis.
- An allergic reaction with symptoms such as burning, irritation, itching, rash, and redness.
- An increase in hair growth.
- Skin colour changes or thinning of the skin and bones
- Weight gain.
- Cataracts and glaucoma.
- High blood pressure.
If you do experience any of the above you should stop using the cream or ointment and seek professional medical assistance from a doctor or pharmacist. In cases of severe allergic reactions go to your nearest emergency department.
Warnings
Can you use Eumovate Cream & Ointment while pregnant?
Eumovate ointment should not be used to treat eczema while pregnant or breastfeeding unless discussed and approved by your doctor. Nonetheless, it should not be used on large areas of skin or for an extended period of time. According to some studies, corticosteroids applied to the skin during pregnancy may cause birth defects.
Alternatives to prescription eczema treatment
- Emollients and moisturisers
- Shower and bath gels
- Cotton mitts (to keep from scratching)
- Tablets containing antihistamines (to ease the itching)
Who shouldn’t use Eumovate Cream & Ointment?
If any of the following apply, you should consult your doctor or a pharmacist before using Eumovate:
- You have a history of steroid medication allergies.
- Eumovate is being applied beneath an airtight dressing.
- You are applying Eumovate to your face, particularly near your eyes.
- Eumovate is being applied to broken skin or skin folds.
- Eumovate is being applied to inflamed skin around the genitals or anus.
- You suffer from psoriasis.
- Eumovate is being used to treat a chronic leg ulcer.
If you’re unsure about whether Eumovate is the right treatment for you, always check beforehand.