What is Mometasone?
Mometasone is a generic treatment available as a cream and ointment, containing mometasone furoate as the active ingredient (the branded version is called Elocon). It’s used to tackle the redness and itchiness that come with skin conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (also called atopic eczema).
But it can be used off-label for other skin conditions like photodermatitis. Off-label prescribing means a clinician prescribes a licensed drug for a condition it hasn’t been officially approved for. But they’ll only do this when there’s evidence to prove it’s safe and effective for that particular condition.
Photodermatitis is when your skin reacts abnormally to sunlight, especially its UV rays. There are various types, with some being rare, like hydroa vacciniforme, which affects about three people in every million. Others are more common, like polymorphic light eruption, which affects one or two out of every 10 people.[1]
Is Mometasone a steroid?
Yes. The active ingredient in Mometasone, mometasone furoate, is a corticosteroid, commonly referred to as a steroid. Steroids are divided into different classes based on their potency, including ‘mild,’ ‘moderately potent,’ ‘potent,’ or ‘very potent.’ Mometasone furoate falls into the ‘potent’ category.[2] So it should only be used for short periods and only small amounts should be applied.
How does Mometasone cream work for dermatitis?
Mometasone cream and ointment both contain mometasone furoate, which is a steroid. It works by reducing redness, swelling and itching on the skin. Inflammation happens when an allergic reaction or irritation triggers the release of certain chemicals in the skin. These chemicals cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in redness, swelling, itching and discomfort in the affected skin areas.[3]
Mometasone skin treatments work by acting on your skin’s cells. It blocks a set of chemical reactions in your body related to inflammation known as the arachidonic acid pathway. By doing so, mometasone reduces the production of specific inflammation-triggering chemicals, which, in turn, soothes the swelling, redness, and itching on your skin.[4]
What forms does Mometasone come in for dermatitis?
Mometasone comes in two forms: cream and ointment. Both contain mometasone furoate at 0.1%, meaning each gram of the cream or ointment contains 1mg of mometasone as furoate. You can use both products for photodermatitis, but the cream is ideal for moist and weepy skin, while the ointment, being thicker and greasier, works better on dry or flaky skin areas.
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