Betamethasone topical 

What  is the most important information I  should know about betamethasone topical? 

Use this medication  exactly as directed on the label,  or as  it has been  prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
 
Do not cover treated skin  areas with a bandage or other covering  unless your doctor has told you to. If you are treating  the diaper area of  a baby, do not  use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering  the skin that is treated with betamethasone topical can increase the amount of the drug your skin absorbs, which  may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow  your doctor's instructions. 

Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes, or on body areas where you have skin folds or thin skin. 

Do not use this medication  on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive  to the effects of betamethasone topical. 

Betamethasone topical will  not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.
 
Contact  your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this medication for several days. 

What is betamethasone topical? 

Betamethasone is a topical steroid. It reduces  the actions of chemicals  in the body that cause inflammation, redness,  and swelling. 

Betamethasone topical is used to treat the inflammation caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema,  and psoriasis. The dental paste form of betamethasone is used to treat mouth ulcers. 

Betamethasone topical may also be used for other purposes not listed  in this medication guide. 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using betamethasone topical? 
 
Do not use this medication if  you are allergic to betamethasone. 

Before  using betamethasone topical, tell  your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have any type  of skin infection.
 
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell  your doctor if  you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
 
It is not known whether  betamethasone topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm  a nursing baby. Do  not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 

Do not use this medication  on a child  without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive  to the effects of betamethasone topical. 

How should I use betamethasone topical? 

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use  the medication in larger amounts,  or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. 

Betamethasone topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection. 

Wash your hands before and after each application, unless you are using betamethasone topical to treat a hand condition. 

Apply a small amount to  the affected area and  rub it gently into the skin. 

Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes  or mouth,  or on body areas where you have  skin folds  or thin skin. 

If you are using  the dental paste, apply  the medication in a thin layer, just enough  to cover  the mouth ulcer. The paste may stick better if you dry  the mouth ulcer before applying the medication.
 
Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to.  If you are treating  the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that  is treated with betamethasone topical  can increase the amount of the drug your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.
 
Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve  or if it gets worse after using this medication for several days. It is important  to use betamethasone topical regularly  to get the most benefit.
 
Store betamethasone topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat. 

What happens if I miss a dose? 

Use the medication  as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for  the next dose, skip the missed dose  and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose. 

What happens if I overdose? 
 
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine,  or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose  of betamethasone topical applied to the skin is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. 

What should I avoid while using betamethasone topical? 
 
Avoid getting  this medication in your eyes, mouth,  and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into  any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use betamethasone topical on sunburned, windburned, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using this  medication in open wounds. 

Avoid using skin products  that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps  or shampoos or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime.  Do not use other medicated skin products unless  your doctor has told you to. 

What are the possible side effects of betamethasone topical? 
 
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of  your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
 
Stop using this medication and call  your doctor at once if  you have any of these signs that you may be absorbing betamethasone topical through  your skin or gums: 

• blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights; 
• uneven heartbeats; 
• mood changes; 
• sleep problems (insomnia); 
• weight gain, puffiness in your face; or 
• Feeling tired. 

• skin redness, burning, itching, or peeling; 
• thinning of your skin; or 
• blistering skin; or 
• Stretch marks.