Elocon 0.1% Scalp Lotion 30ml

Eczema Doctor Service

Elocon 0.1% w/w Scalp Lotion (Mometasone furoate) is one of a group of medicines called topical corticosteroids.

It is classified as a “potent corticosteroid” and these medicines are put on the surface of the skin to reduce theredness and itchiness caused by certain skin problems.

In adults and children, Elocon Scalp Lotion is used to reduce redness and itchiness caused by certain conditions affecting the scalp, called psoriasis or dermatitis.

Suitable For Adults & Children Aged Of 2 Years & Above.

Elocon is not recommended for children under the age of 2, because it may harm them. Also, If more than the correct amount of lotion is used and/or it is used for longer than is recommended, it can affect the child’s hormones. This may lead to:

• Delayed growth and development
• Puffiness or rounding of the face.

About Eczema

Eczema or psoriasis are common dry skin conditions that can become uncomfortable and itchy, scaly, pink patches develop on the elbows, knees, scalp and other parts of the body. These skin conditions can occur anywhere on the body, even on the scalp.  Dermatitis is a condition brought on by the skin reacting to outside agents e.g. detergents, causing the skin to become red and itchy. There are treatments available to help alleviate unwanted symptoms.

Betnovate is a scalp application liquid containing betamethasone. This steroid lotion can help to relieve inflammation, itching and redness of eczema and psoriasis in the scalp.

• Lotion based medication for a dry/flaky/scaly scalp brought on by eczema or psoriasis 
• Steroid based treatment to help reduce inflammation and discomfort

Treatments

Treatments for atopic eczema can help to ease the symptoms.  The main treatments for atopic eczema are:

• emollients (moisturisers) – used every day to stop the skin becoming dry
• topical corticosteroids – creams and ointments used to reduce swelling and redness during flare-ups.

Other Treatments Include:

• topical pimecrolimus or tacrolimus for eczema in sensitive sites not responding to simpler treatment
• antihistamines for severe itching
• bandages or special body suits to allow the body to heal underneath
• more powerful treatments offered by a dermatologist (skin specialist)

More About Managing Eczema & Dermatitis

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. If you can’t work out what’s wrong, ask your doctor for advice.

About topical corticosteroids

If your skin is sore and inflamed, a GP may prescribe a topical corticosteroid (applied directly to your skin), which can reduce the inflammation within a few days.

Topical corticosteroids can be prescribed in different strengths, depending on the severity of your atopic eczema and the areas of skin affected.

They can be:

• very mild (such as hydrocortisone)
• moderate (such as betamethasone valerate and clobetasone butyrate)
• strong (such as a higher dose of betamethasone valerate and betamethasone dipropionate)
• very strong (such as clobetasol propionate and diflucortolone valerate).

If you need to use corticosteroids frequently, see a GP regularly so they can check the treatment is working effectively and you're using the right amount.

How to reduce the damage from scratching

Eczema is often itchy, and it can be very tempting to scratch the affected areas of skin. But scratching usually damages the skin, which can itself cause more eczema to occur. The skin eventually thickens into leathery areas as a result of chronic scratching. Deep scratching also causes bleeding and increases the risk of your skin becoming infected or scarred.

Try to reduce scratching whenever possible. You could try gently rubbing your skin with your fingers instead. If your baby has atopic eczema, anti-scratch mittens may stop them scratching their skin.

• Keep your nails short and clean to minimise damage to the skin from unintentional scratching.
• Keep your skin covered with light clothing to reduce damage from habitual scratching.

Avoid triggers

A GP will work with you to establish what might trigger the eczema flare-ups, although it may get better or worse for no obvious reason.

Once you know your triggers, you can try to avoid them. 

For example:

• if certain fabrics irritate your skin, avoid wearing these and stick to soft, fine-weave clothing or natural materials such as cotton
• if heat aggravates your eczema, keep the rooms in your home cool, especially the bedroom
• avoid using soaps or detergents that may affect your skin – use soap substitutes instead.

Common triggers

• 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

Triggers include rubber and pine tree sap, which are used in all sorts of items we touch every day. You might find triggers:

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.

Although some people with eczema are allergic to house dust mites, trying to rid your home of them is not recommended as it can be difficult and there's no clear evidence that it helps.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.

Possible side effects

A few people may find that they suffer from some of the following side effects after using Elocon:

• Allergic skin reactions
• Bacterial and secondary skin infections
• Acne
• Inflammation and/or infection of the hair follicles
• Thinning of the skin
• Red marks with associate prickly heat
• Loss of skin colour
• Burning
• Stinging
• Itching
• Tingling
• Excessive hair growth
• Softening of the skin and stretch marks
• Blurred vision.
• Other side effects that may occur with topical corticosteroids are dry skin, skin irritation, dermatitis, dermatitis around the mouth, and small dilated blood vessels.

For a full list of side effects, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us. 

Patient Information Leaflet Elocon 0.1% Scalp Lotion

Other medicines and Elocon Scalp Lotion
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.

Elocon Scalp Lotion contains propylene glycol stearate, which can cause skin irritation.

How to store Elocon

• The lotion should be stored below 25 °C.
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use Elocon after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Before using Elocon

You should always follow these instructions when using Elocon:

• This medicine should only be used on the scalp. Do not use it on any other part of your body
• You should check with your doctor before covering the treated areas with a bandage or plaster. Treated areas on the face should not be covered with a bandage or plaster.
• You should not use a large amount of lotion on large areas of the body for a long time (for example every day for many weeks or months).
• Do not use in or around the eyes, including eye-lids.

How to use Elocon

Children - Elocon is not recommended for children under the age of 2.

• Treated areas in children should not be covered with a bandage or plaster.
• Do not use the lotion on your child’s scalp for more than 5 days.

If you use the lotion on your child more often than you should, or on large areas of the body, it can affect some of their hormones, and this may affect their growth and development.

Adults and children 2 years of age and above

• Usually for adults and children, a few drops of ELOCON Scalp Lotion should be applied to the affected area of the scalp once a day and gently massage until the lotion disappears.
• The hair can be wet or dry when applying the lotion to the scalp.

If you use more Elocon than you should - If you use the lotion more often than you should, or on large areas of the body, it can affect some of your hormones. In children, this may affect their growth and development.

• If you have not used the lotion as you were told to do and have used it too often and/or for a long time, you should tell your doctor.

If you (or somebody else) accidentally swallows the lotion, it should not produce any problems. However, if you are worried, you should see your doctor.

If you forget to use Elocon - If you forget to use your lotion at the right time, use it as soon as you remember, then carry on as before.

If you stop using Elocon - If you have been using the lotion for a long time and your scalp problem seems to have got better, you should not suddenly stop using the lotion. If you do, you may find that your scalp becomes red and you may notice stinging and burning. To avoid this, you should speak to your doctor who will gradually reduce how often you need to use the lotion until you stop treatment altogether.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not use Elocon if you have any of the following:

• Allergies (hypersensitivity) to mometasone furoate, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine or to other similar medicines
• Scalp problems as it could make them worse
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Warts
• Other skin infections
• Ulcerated skin
• Wounds
• Skin atrophy (thinning of the skin)

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Warnings and precautions

Contact your doctor immediately:

• if your psoriasis gets worse or you get raised bumps filled with pus under your skin.
• if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
• if your scalp becomes irritated or sensitive after using Elocon, you should stop using it and tell your doctor
• if you think that you have developed an infection on your scalp whilst using Elocon, you should tell your doctor.

Side effects that may happen with inhaled or oral corticosteroids may also occur with corticosteroids used on the skin, especially in infants and children.

If you use more than the correct amount of lotion and/or use it for longer than is recommended, it can affect the levels of certain hormones in the body, particularly in infants and children.

In adults the changes in hormone levels may lead rarely to puffiness or rounding of the face, weakness, tiredness, and dizziness when standing or sitting down.

Do not smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc.) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.

What Elocon contains

The active substance is mometasone furoate, each gram contains 1 mg of mometasone furoate.

The other ingredients are isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, phosphoric acid, purified water.

What Elocon looks like and contents of the pack

The lotion is available in bottles containing 30 ml.