Always follow the instructions from a pharmacist or doctor or the leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Dosage
You'll usually use mometasone cream or ointment once a day for 1 to 2 weeks. If you think you need it for longer, speak to your doctor.
Creams are better for skin that's moist and weepy. Ointments are thicker and greasier, and are better for dry or flaky areas of skin.
Mometasone skin cream and ointment
The amount of cream or ointment you need to use is sometimes measured by how much you can squeeze onto the end of your finger (a fingertip unit).
As a general rule, a fingertip unit of cream is enough to treat an area that's twice the size of the palm of your hand.
For children, the right amount of cream or ointment depends on their age. A doctor or pharmacist can advise you.
How to apply cream or ointment
- Wash and dry your hands and then squeeze out the right amount.
- 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, until the cream disappears.
- Use the cream or ointment on all the irritated skin, not just the worst areas.
- Be careful not to get the cream or ointment on broken skin or cuts.
- Wash your hands afterwards (unless you're treating the skin on your hands).
Do not use mometasone cream or ointment at the same time as any other creams or ointments, such as moisturiser. Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes before using any other skin product.
If you need to use a dressing, like a bandage or plaster, wait at least 10 minutes after putting mometasone on.
If you're treating a child, do not cover the cream or ointment with dressings, bandages or a nappy. This makes it easier for the medicine to pass through the skin and increases the chance of side effects. If your doctor has prescribed it to treat very severe nappy rash, ask them how much to use and how long to use it for.
Mometasone scalp lotion (scalp application)
You'll usually use the scalp lotion once a day.
How to apply mometasone scalp lotion
You can use the scalp lotion on wet or dry hair.
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Unscrew the bottle cap and place the nozzle directly on your scalp.
- Apply a few drops of scalp lotion to the affected area of the scalp.
- Gently massage until the lotion disappears.
- Wash your hands afterwards.
Important: Fire warning
Skin lotions, cream and ointment can dry onto your clothes and bedding. This makes them more likely to catch fire. Avoid naked flames.
How long to use it for
This depends on why you're using a mometasone skin treatment. Most people only use it for a few days.
Use it for as long as your doctor has recommended. However, if your skin gets better sooner, check with your doctor before you stop using it.
If you stop using it too soon, your condition could come back. If you need to restart treatment, you may need to use it for longer and this may increase the chances of you getting side effects.
If you have long-term skin problems, such eczema or psoriasis, you may need it for 1 to 2 weeks, or longer.
Once your skin is better, you can use a moisturising treatment (emollient) to stop your symptoms coming back.
You must not use mometasone skin treatments on children for more than 5 days, unless their doctor says to use it for longer.
If your doctor says you can use mometasone on your face, then it's usually OK to use it for up to 5 days. Only use the cream or ointment for longer than 5 days if your doctor tells you to.
Speak to your doctor if your skin gets worse or does not get better within 14 days (or 5 days for a child) of using mometasone skin treatments.
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use your cream, ointment or scalp lotion, use it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and apply the next one at the usual time.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to use your medicine.
If you use too much
Using too much mometasone is unlikely to harm you. But if you use too much on yourself, or a child, wash the area of skin affected carefully until all the cream or ointment has gone.
If you're worried, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.
Stopping mometasone
Talk to your doctor before stopping treatment if you've been using mometasone 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 mometasone 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 mometasone 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 mometasone, do not start using it again without checking with your doctor