Elocon

What is Elocon?

Elocon is available as cream, ointment and scalp lotion. The cream and ointment can be used anywhere on your body (but make sure you have your clinician’s approval before using them on your face), but you should only apply the scalp lotion (as the name suggests) on your scalp.

They all contain mometasone furoate, which is part of a group of medicines called corticosteroids (or steroids). They’re classified by their strength using a potency scale (also called topical steroid potency ladder or chart):

Mild < Moderately potent < Potent < Very potent

Mometasone furoate belongs to the potent corticosteroid group. These stronger steroids work well for more severe conditions and areas of thicker skin, such as your palms and the soles of your feet.

What is Elocon used for?

It’s used to treat dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions like psoriasis and atopic eczema. Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, makes your skin dry and itchy. Dry skin can get cracked and sore. It often shows up on your hands, inner elbows, behind your knees, face and scalp. It’s usually triggered by allergens, like soap, cold weather, pollen, or pet fur, hence the “atopic” name, which means being sensitive to allergens.^[1]

Elocon is also used off-label to treat discoid and dyshidrotic eczema. “Off-label” is when a medication is used for something that’s not officially on its label or in its prescribing information. But it’s still a common practice and there’s enough evidence to support the use of the medication in this way.

Discoid eczema, also known as discoid dermatitis or nummular eczema, comes with distinct oval or coin-shaped spots on your skin. These spots are typically very itchy and may either ooze clear fluid or become dry and crusty. It often follows skin injuries like burns or insect bites.^[2]

Dyshidrotic eczema, also known as pompholyx, causes itchy blisters filled with fluid on your fingers, palms, toes, and the soles of your feet. These blisters may ooze and typically clear up in two to three weeks. But after that your skin might become dry, cracked and, occasionally, painful.^[3]

How does Elocon work?

The active ingredient in Elocon, mometasone furoate, is a potent steroid. It reduces swelling, redness, and itching by reducing inflammation and itching, and narrowing blood vessels.

The exact way corticosteroids work is not fully understood. But what is known is that they bind to specific receptors in your cells and then travel to the cell nucleus. This leads to the release of anti-inflammatory molecules and the decrease of inflammatory substances.^[4]

Mometasone furoate, in particular, is believed to decrease inflammation by blocking certain pathways that lead to inflammation and decreasing the production of inflammatory substances like cytokines and leukotrienes.^[4]

What forms of Elocon are there?

Elocon is available in three forms: cream, ointment and scalp lotion. All three forms contain the same amount of the active ingredient, mometasone furoate, at 0.1% (each gram contains 1mg of mometasone furoate).

How to use Elocon for eczema

Typically, when using Elocon on your skin, follow these guidelines, unless your clinician advises otherwise:

For the cream and ointment:

1. Clean and dry your hands and the affected area.
2. Apply a thin layer of the medication to the affected area once daily.
3. Gently massage it in.

For the scalp lotion:

1. Apply a few drops of it to the affected scalp area once a day.
2. Gently massage it in till it’s completely absorbed into your skin.
3. Your hair can be wet or dry while you apply the lotion.
4. Avoid applying it in or around the eyes, including the eyelids.

Don’t use bandages or dressings to cover the treated area unless your clinician tells you to do so.

If you’ve been using Elocon for a while and your skin is looking better, don’t stop all of a sudden. That could lead to redness, stinging, or burning. Instead, ask your clinician, and they’ll help you ease off the treatment gradually until you can stop completely.

How long does Elocon take to work for eczema?

You’ll usually use it for just a few days. If your clinician advises using mometasone on your face, it’s generally safe for up to five days. If your skin isn’t getting better or gets worse after 14 days of using Elocon, you should check in with your clinician.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Elocon for eczema?

If you swallow Elocon by mistake, don’t worry. It’s not usually an issue. But if it bothers you, double check this with your doctor.

If you’ve used it for long periods of time, don’t stop suddenly. You should ask your clinician to help you reduce the dose gradually.

And if you forget to use it at the usual time, just use it when you remember and continue as usual.