Mometasone

What is Mometasone?

Mometasone belongs to a class of medications known as corticosteroids. Often referred to simply as ‘steroids’, these drugs have an anti-inflammatory effect and are widely used to treat conditions like asthma, Crohn’s disease, and lichen planus.^[1]

Applied directly to affected parts of your body, Mometasone can be used to manage swelling and itching. It can soothe inflamed areas of skin caused by a rash. Mometasone is available as an ointment or a cream — both are suitable for people with dry skin, but work slightly differently. Creams are easy to spread and tend to absorb faster, while ointments are thicker and can have an occlusive effect, meaning they form a protective seal over the affected skin.^[2] You’ll be prescribed Mometasone in the form a clinician thinks will benefit you the most.

Lichen planus is a non-infectious rash that causes bumps to develop on your skin. These bumps are usually a red-purple colour and appear raised. The affected patches can vary — sometimes the bumps have white streaks throughout (called Wickham’s striae), and the condition is known to spread to the ankles, causing thicker, scaly patches to appear. This type of rash is called hypertrophic lichen planus. Typically, though, the affected areas are your skin, mouth, and genitals.^[3]

How does Mometasone work?

Irritation and allergic reactions cause chemicals to be released into your skin. These chemicals widen your skin’s blood vessels, which can lead to itching, redness, and swelling. Corticosteroids like Mometasone work by stopping your skin reacting this way, and prevent the chemicals that cause inflammation from being released.

One such chemical involved in this reaction is histamine. When your body perceives something to be an allergen, such as dust, pollen, or pet hair, it produces histamine to combat the threat from foreign invaders. An overproduction of histamine, however, can cause excessive sneezing and itching. Antihistamines are used to calm this immune response, and topical corticosteroids work in a similar way for skin conditions.^[4]

Mometasone inhalers are used to treat asthma, and mometasone nasal sprays treat hay fever and allergic rhinitis.

How to use Mometasone for Lichen Planus

Both the cream and ointment versions of Mometasone are applied in the same way.

To apply both forms of Mometasone:

• gently rub a small amount of the cream into any areas of skin that are affected
• you should only do this once a day, by applying a fingertip amount of Mometasone to your skin rash
• avoid using the cream for longer than 5 days if you’re using it on your face, and never use more than has been prescribed

More specific details about Mometasone, such as interactions with other medications, can be found in the product information leaflet (PIL) that comes with your treatment.

Are there different forms of Mometasone?

For topical use on the skin, Mometasone is available as a cream or an ointment. The dosage for both forms of the medication is usually the same as they work in very similar ways, but the one you’ll be prescribed will depend on how your lichen planus rash is affecting you.

Unlike creams, ointments are less likely to be immediately absorbed into your skin. They contain little to no water, and can help dry skin rashes by forming a lubricating barrier that retains moisture. Ointments also work better on areas of skin where you have no hair (sometimes called ‘glabrous’ areas) like the palms of your hands, as they can sometimes be difficult to wash off.^[1]

Creams are water-soluble, and are absorbed into your skin when applied. They often act like moisturisers, which can soften dry skin. Generally, creams can be used on any areas of skin that need treatment.