Always follow the instructions from a pharmacist or doctor or the leaflet in the medicine packet.
Dosage and strength
Clobetasol comes in different strengths:
- cream, ointment and scalp treatment contain 0.5mg of clobetasol in every 1g
- shampoo contains 500mcg of clobetasol in every 1g
Clobetasol cream is much stronger than other steroid creams such as hydrocortisone 1% strength.
Most people only need to use clobetasol 1 or 2 times a day for 1 week. A doctor may suggest that you use it for longer than 1 week.
If it's been prescribed for your child under 12 years of age, do not use it on them for longer than 5 days unless the doctor has seen them again.
How to use cream or ointment
Cream is better for skin that is moist or weepy. Ointment is thicker and greasier, and is better for dry or flaky areas of skin.
The amount of cream or ointment you use is sometimes measured in fingertip units. This is the amount of cream or ointment you can squeeze onto your fingertip (the top of your finger down to the first bend in your finger).
A fingertip unit of cream should be enough to treat an area of skin that is double the size of the palm of your hand.
For babies and children, the right amount of cream depends on their age. A doctor or pharmacist can advise you.
How to apply cream or ointment
- Wash your hands.
- Spread the cream or ointment in a thin layer over the area of irritated skin.
- Carefully smooth it into your skin in the direction that your hair grows.
- Be careful not to get the cream or ointment into broken skin or cuts.
- Wash your hands afterwards (unless it's your hands that you're treating).
- Use the cream or ointment on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas.
If you use it twice a day, try to leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours.
Do not use clobetasol at the same time as other creams or ointments such as a moisturiser. Wait at least 30 minutes between using clobetasol and any other product.
If you need to use a dressing like a bandage or plaster, wait at least 10 minutes after putting clobetasol on.
Do not cover the cream or ointment with dressings or bandages if you're treating a child.
Important: Fire warning
Skin creams can dry onto your clothes and bedding. This makes them more likely to catch fire. Avoid naked flames.
How to use shampoo
The usual daily dose is 7.5ml – around one and a half teaspoons. Use clobetasol shampoo once a day.
- Wash your hands.
- Apply the shampoo directly to your dry scalp, taking care to cover and massage all of the affected areas.
- Only use the recommended amount.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the shampoo.
- Leave the shampoo to work for 15 minutes. Do not cover it with anything.
- Rinse the shampoo off with water and dry your hair as usual.
Use your usual shampoo after the clobetasol shampoo if you need to wash your hair. Do not use more clobetasol shampoo.
How to use scalp treatment
- Shake the bottle thoroughly before each use.
- Wash your hands.
- Unscrew the bottle cap and place the nozzle directly on your scalp.
- Gently squeeze the bottle to cover the area with a thin and even layer of liquid.
- Do not use more than the recommended amount.
- You can rub this liquid in, but you do not have to.
- Leave to dry. Your scalp will feel cool while the liquid is drying.
- Wash your hands again.
Use a small amount of scalp treatment twice a day, in the morning and evening, until your symptoms improve. Speak to your doctor about gradually reducing your treatments until you can stop.
How long to use it for
For contact dermatitis you'll probably only need to use it for up to 1 week.
For long-term skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, you may need to use the medicine for longer under the supervision of a doctor.
To reduce the risk of side effects, a doctor may recommend that you only use clobetasol for a few weeks at a time.
Talk to a doctor if your skin or scalp problem gets worse or does not improve within 2 to 4 weeks, or 5 days for children under 12 years.
Do not use clobetasol for more than 4 weeks without talking to a doctor. If you need treatment for a long time, a doctor may recommend that you use a milder cream or ointment.
If you have been using clobetasol for a long time, you may need to gradually reduce the amount you use and how often before stopping it completely. This reduces the chance of your symptoms coming back.
Talk to a doctor if you want to stop treatment after using clobetasol for a long time.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use clobetasol, use it as soon as you remember, unless it's within a few hours of your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose then follow your normal routine.
Stopping clobetasol
Talk to your doctor before stopping treatment if you've been using clobetasol for a long time. They may tell you to gradually use less of it, and use it less often, before you stop completely. This reduces the chance of your symptoms coming back.
Using clobetasol for a long time can increase the risk of having a withdrawal reaction when you stop using it. You might have a burning feeling and redness, although this may be more difficult to see on brown or black skin.
The reaction will feel different to the skin condition you've been using clobetasol for. It may cover a larger area than the area you were treating.
Important
If you get a withdrawal reaction or your condition comes back within 2 weeks of stopping clobetasol, do not start using it again without checking with your doctor.