Beclometasone for severe inflammatory skin conditions

About beclometasone

Beclometasone is classed as a potent topical corticosteroid. Topical corticosteroids are also referred to as topical steroids. Topical steroids are used in addition to moisturisers (emollients) for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema e dermatite. A topical steroid is used when patches of eczema or dermatitis flare up. Beclometasone relieves the symptoms of a flare-up by reducing inflammation, itching and redness. It is not a cure for the condition, but it will help to relieve the symptoms.

Beclometasone is available as a cream and an ointment. It is likely you will be prescribed the cream if the affected areas of your skin are moist or weeping, and the ointment if your skin is dry. It is not generally suitable for children, although short courses of up to two weeks may occasionally be prescribed for a child by a skin specialist doctor.

Short courses of beclometasone may also be prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis, for small areas of skin such as the soles of the feet or palms of the hands.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using beclometasone it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se hai delle aree di pelle infetta.

• Se hai la rosacea o l'acne.

• Se sei incinta o stai allattando.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a una preparazione per la pelle.

• Before you start using the cream/ointment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about topical steroids and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects that you may experience from using them.

• Apply a small amount to the areas of skin which are inflamed. Then gently rub it into the skin until it has disappeared. Do not use beclometasone on any broken or infected areas of skin.

• La quantità di steroide topico che dovresti applicare è comunemente misurata in unità di punta delle dita (FTU). Un FTU è la quantità di crema o unguento che viene spremuta lungo la punta del dito di un adulto (cioè, dalla fine del dito alla prima piega del dito). Come guida, un FTU è sufficiente per coprire un'area due volte la dimensione di una mano adulta. Il tuo medico ti darà un'idea di quanti FTU avrai bisogno per coprire l'area della tua pelle che è interessata.

• Your doctor will tell you how often to apply beclometasone. It must not be applied more than twice a day, and once a day is often sufficient.

• Se stai usando più di un corticosteroide topico, assicurati di sapere quando e dove usare ciascuno. Se hai dubbi, consulta il tuo medico o chiedi ulteriori consigli al tuo farmacista.

• After you have applied beclometasone, remember to wash your hands (unless your hands are the treated area).

• If you are using beclometasone for psoriasis, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions carefully. It should not be used for large areas of psoriasis or for long periods of time, as these can cause your symptoms to flare up again afterwards.

• If you are using a moisturiser along with this preparation, apply the moisturiser first. Then wait 10-15 minutes before applying beclometasone cream/ointment. This allows time for the moisturiser to be absorbed before the topical corticosteroid is applied. Your skin should be moist but not slippery when you apply beclometasone.

• Do not use beclometasone cream/ointment on your face unless a skin specialist doctor has said you should. If you have been told to use it on your face, be careful not to get any preparation near your eyes and do not use it for longer periods of time than you have been advised.

• Unless advised to do so by your doctor, do not apply a bandage or dressing to the area being treated, as this will increase absorption of the preparation and increase the risk of side-effects.

• Continue to use beclometasone until the flare-up has gone and then stop it. A course of treatment for 7-14 days is often sufficient. If your symptoms have not improved after this time (or if they get worse), speak again with your doctor for further advice. Topical corticosteroids like beclometasone should not be used for long periods of time or on large areas of the body.

• After you finish using beclometasone, continue to use your moisturiser every day. This will help to prevent a further flare-up. Your doctor may also prescribe a less potent steroid cream for you to use when needed.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. You can reduce the risk of side-effects from beclometasone by applying the preparation thinly, no more than twice a day, and applying it to the affected areas only.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to beclometasone, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.