What is Betnovate used for?
Betnovate cream, ointment and lotion are used to treat a variety of inflammatory, allergic or itchy skin disorders such as those below. It’s prescribed when milder corticosteroids haven’t been effective.
Eczema of various types.
Skin inflammation due to allergies or irritants (allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis).
Inflammatory skin condition with greasy, red and scaly areas (seborrhoeic dermatitis).
Psoriasis.
Thickened skin rash caused by excessive scratching to relieve itching (neurodermatitis, eg lichen simplex).
An eruption of hard nodules in the skin accompanied by intense itching (prurigo nodularis).
Skin disorder causing a flat, itchy, violet rash, usually on the wrists, shins, lower back and genitals (lichen planus).
Inflammatory skin disease known as discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE).
Intense and widespread reddening of the skin (generalised erythroderma) in combination with oral or injected corticosteroids.
Reactions to insect bites and stings.
How does Betnovate work?
Betnovate products contain the active ingredient betamethasone, which is a type of medicine called a topical corticosteroid. Betamethasone cream and ointment are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.
Corticosteroids (also known as steroids) are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Skin inflammation may occur as a result of an allergic reaction, or irritation of the skin. It is caused by the immune system releasing substances that make blood vessels in the skin widen. This makes the irritated area become red, swollen, itchy and painful, as is seen in dermatitis or eczema.
When betamethasone is applied to the skin it acts inside cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itching.