What is Eumovate Eczema and Dermatitis Cream 0.05%?

Eumovate is used for the short term treatment and control of patches of red, itchy skin caused by eczema and dermatitis. The cream works to stop the skin’s over-reaction to the triggers that cause skin flare-ups such as eczema or dermatitis. The active ingredient is clobetasone butyrate which is a topical corticosteroid to control inflammation of the skin. The cream base also has moisturising properties.

When can I use Eumovate Cream?

Eumovate cream contains a steroid which reduces inflammation and flare-ups of psoriasis or eczema, which are often associated with swelling, itching, redness and irritation.

What is eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis?

Eczema is a dry skin condition which makes skin feel itchy, dry and irritated. Dermatitis is a sort of inflammation triggered when the skin comes in contact with something irritable, like harsh additives or disinfectants. Psoriasis is characterised by flaky, red patches of skin which are covered in silver scales, which may be sore and itchy. Flare-ups of eczema and psoriasis may involve:

• Dry skin
• Redness
• Itching
• Blisters
• Cracked skin
• Inflammation

Managing eczema and dermatitis

Skin specialist advice - Skin specialists often advise people with eczema or dermatitis to use emollient (moisturising) skin products, including creams and bath oils, to keep moisture in the skin. This can make your skin more resistant to flare-ups. Avoid using soap and heavily scented products.

If a rash comes back - Sometimes people with dermatitis find their rash soon comes back after treatment, or never disappears completely. This is often because they are still in contact with their trigger i.e. what causes the reaction.

Common triggers of eczema and dermatitis include:

• Jewellery including earrings or studs (especially gold-plated earrings)
• Coins
• Watch buckles, metal straps or the metal back of a watch
• Metal studs or fastenings on jeans, bras or underwear.

All of these have a metal in them called nickel, which is a very common trigger. If you react badly to nickel, all of the triggers in the list could be a problem. So if you’ve reacted badly to one of the common triggers, you’ll need to watch out for the other common triggers. 

Other common triggers of eczema and dermatitis include:

• In the home: such as plasters, furniture polish, varnishes, rubber gloves or elastic in clothes
• In substances you use at work: such as glues, oils, lubricants or cement
• In the garden: certain plants and weeds, gardening gloves.

How to use Eumovate Cream

• Adults and children aged 12 years and over: Use the cream once or twice daily, for up to 7 days.
• Wash and dry your hands.
• Squeeze out the correct amount of cream onto your index finger.
• Half a fingertip will cover a patch of skin the same size as the palm of your hand.
• Gently rub cream into the skin you are treating once or twice a day.
• Wash your hands again (unless it is your hands you are treating).

How much Eumovate Cream to use

• Squeeze out the cream along the top of your index finger
• From the crease in your finger, squeeze the cream halfway to your fingertip. This will cover a patch of skin the same size as the palm of your hand.
• Use the fingertip unit as a guide. For smaller areas, use a smaller amount. This cream is not meant to treat large areas.
• If you use a bit too much of the cream by mistake, don’t worry – but try to keep to the fingertip unit.
• Half a fingertip will cover a patch of skin the same size as the palm of your hand.
  

Important information about Eumovate

Eumovate contains a moderate steroid, and should only be used for short term use (maximum one week). Thin layers of Eumovate must be applied, as steroids thin the skin. Eumovate cannot be applied to infected, oozing skin or open wounds. If the condition does not improve or if it worsens after using Eumovate, then treatment should be discontinued, and you should consult your doctor. Eumovate must not be applied to the genital or facial regions.