Name: Elocon
Published: Sep 12, 2023

Elocon

We’ll deliver to you by

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£42.95

Save £0.00 each order

Reviewed on Sep 12, 2023. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Next review due on September 13, 2026.

Last updated on Sep 12, 2023.

Product info

Elocon is a topical corticosteroid used to treat skin inflammation caused by lichen planus.
It inhibits the immune response that causes inflammation and helps reduce it to ease your symptoms.
You may notice improvements in a couple of days, but can take two weeks to take effect.

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£42.95

Save £0.00 each order

Elocon: essential info
Elocon: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Elocon?

Elocon 0.1% cream is a topical steroid that can reduce swelling and inflammation on your skin. It’s primarily used to treat psoriasis and dermatitis, but it can be prescribed for other skin conditions too, such as lichen planus. Lichen planus is a skin condition characterised by itchy, purple bumps on your wrist, ankle and lower back.

Lichen planus is an idiopathic condition (which means it develops spontaneously or the cause is unknown), which affects around 0.2-1% of adults worldwide. ^[1] The bumps will eventually fade without treatment, but it’ll take 1-2 years. There’s no cure for it, but treatment can lower the time it takes for the bumps to heal.

How does Elocon work for lichen planus?

Lichen planus causes purple bumps to form on your skin, caused by the release of inflammatory cytokines. Elocon contains the corticosteroid mometasone furoate, but it’s not fully understood how corticosteroids work to reduce inflammation.

Generally, corticosteroids like mometasone enter the nucleus in your cells and bind to specific regions on the genes involved in inflammation control. This triggers the release of anti-inflammatory chemicals and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, ^[2] which reduces inflammation and swelling caused by lichen planus. It can also lessen the redness and itchiness of the bumps.

Treated trusted sources:

Arnold DL, Krishnamurthy K. Lichen Planus. [Updated 2022 Oct 13]. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
Spada F, Barnes TM, Greive KA. Comparative safety and efficacy of topical mometasone furoate with other topical corticosteroids. Australas J Dermatol. 2018 Aug;59(3):e168-e174

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on September 13, 2023. Next review due on September 13, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

FAQ: Elocon

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

What are the side effects of Elocon?

Answer:

Like all medicines, Elocon can cause side effects that can affect some people. This includes:

skin reactions and infections;

acne;

inflammation or infections of the hair follicle;

loss of skin colour;

burning, stinging, itching or tingling;

excessive hair growth;

softening of the skin;

stretch marks on this skin; and

blurred vision.

Using topical corticosteroids continuously and for a long time can cause withdrawal symptoms such as burning and itching if you stop using them abruptly. To avoid this, you should stop using Elocon gradually.

How does Elocon compare to other treatments for Lichen planus?

Answer:

First-line treatments for lichen planus typically include topical steroids, of which there are quite a few types. Common examples include Betnovate (betamethasone valerate), Dermovate (clobetasol propionate) and Elocon (mometasone furoate). The potency (strength) of the prescribed steroid depends on the location and severity of your condition. For thinner or fragile areas, a lower potency steroid is typically used, whereas if the affected area is thicker or larger, a stronger steroid, such as Elocon, may be prescribed. ^[1]

Antihistamines can also treat the symptoms of lichen planus.^[2]
They won’t heal the bumps, but they can reduce the itchiness that comes with them.

Is Elocon a steroid?

Answer:

Elocon’s active ingredient, mometasone furoate, is a type of steroid known as a corticosteroid. (So different from anabolic steroids used to increase muscle mass, commonly referred to as just ‘steroids’.)

Compared to other topical corticosteroids, 0.1% mometasone furoate cream is stronger and has more potent anti-inflammatory activity. Studies show that patients with eczema using Elocon once a day experienced greater improvement than patients using a less potent steroid, like 1% hydrocortisone twice a day.^[3]

Treated trusted sources:

Zvidzayi, M., Rath, S., Bon, C., Abboo, S., & Kanfer, I. (2021). A Novel Approach to Assess the Potency of Topical Corticosteroids. Pharmaceutics, 13(9).
Boch, K., Langan, E. A., Kridin, K., Zillikens, D., Ludwig, R. J., & Bieber, K. (2021). Lichen Planus. Frontiers in Medicine, 8.
Spada, F., Barnes, T. M., & Greive, K. A. (2018). Comparative safety and efficacy of topical mometasone furoate with other topical corticosteroids. The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 59(3), e168.