As many members of MyEczemaTeam know, trying to find a product to soothe inflamed skin can be a game of trial and error. Clobetasol is a potent steroid that your doctor may prescribe to treat your eczema flares. Because it’s so strong, clobetasol is good for eczema rashes that are stubborn or don’t respond to other treatments. However, it’s important to use it carefully.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using clobetasol to treat your eczema. As always, follow your doctor’s medical advice for use.

What Is Clobetasol?

Clobetasol is a type of steroid called a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids — sometimes called glucocorticoids — are medications used to reduce inflammation.

Corticosteroids work by mimicking the hormone cortisol. Cortisol has many roles in our body, including decreasing inflammation and regulating blood sugar. This artificial cortisol activates the body’s natural pathways to decrease symptoms of inflammation, such as itching and swelling.

Clobetasol is a very potent corticosteroid. It’s much stronger than over-the-counter treatments like regular hydrocortisone 1 percent cream, as well as other prescription steroid creams. It’s most often used to treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Clobetasol is a topical steroid, which means it’s applied directly to the skin. It’s available in many forms, including creams, ointments, gels, foams, lotions, sprays, liquids, and shampoos.

How Clobetasol Helps Eczema Symptoms

“Eczema” is an umbrella term for skin conditions caused by inflammation. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema, though there are several other kinds. During a flare, people with atopic dermatitis may develop symptoms, such as:

• Itchy skin
• Skin rash
• Cracked or dry skin
• Swelling
• Discolored skin that may be purple, red, brown, or gray, depending on your skin tone
• Small bumps that contain fluid and may be crusty

Eczema symptoms like these result from inflammation. When managing an eczema flare, the focus is on soothing that inflammation.

Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe topical corticosteroids to calm your immune system. Which topical steroid is best for eczema depends on many factors, such as the type and your symptoms. If you’re experiencing a severe eczema flare-up or symptoms that don’t respond to other treatments, your healthcare provider may recommend a stronger steroid like clobetasol.

Since clobetasol is such a strong steroid, you’ll likely notice your symptoms begin to improve quickly. Some people will only need to use it for one week to find relief from itchiness, redness, and other eczema symptoms. If you’re having a more severe flare-up, your dermatology provider may recommend you use clobetasol for two to four weeks.

How To Use Clobetasol

Clobetasol is a strong medication. Applying the product improperly may increase your risk of side effects, such as skin irritation. Use this medication only as directed by a healthcare professional.

Apply a Thin Layer

Clobetasol topicals should be used in small amounts only. Follow the directions that come with your medication. Apply the medication only to the affected areas of skin.

Doses for clobetasol creams and ointments may be in fingertip units. This means you should use the amount of product that you can fit on your fingertip, measured from the top of your finger to the first joint. One fingertip unit is enough medication for an area of skin around twice the size of your palm.

To apply a cream or ointment, spread it over the irritated skin in a thin layer. Gently smooth the product into your skin in the same direction as hair growth. Don’t use other products, such as emollients, on the treated area for 30 minutes to give the medication time to absorb.

Clobetasol foam, spray, or liquid may be used to treat skin problems on the scalp. To use these topicals, part your hair before applying a small amount and rubbing it in. Shampoo should be lathered and washed out 15 minutes after applying it.

Avoid Sensitive Parts of the Body

Topical clobetasol should only be used on the skin. Keep the medication away from your eyes and mouth. In general, avoid using the steroid on sensitive areas of skin, such as:

• The armpits
• The genital or rectal areas
• In skin folds or creases

Only use clobetasol on affected areas of skin as directed by your doctor.

Only Use Clobetasol for a Short Time

How long you can use clobetasol for eczema depends on what type you have and how severe your symptoms are. Your doctor may prescribe the steroid for one week to relieve symptoms of contact dermatitis (rash caused by an allergen or irritant). For other kinds of eczema, you may use clobetasol for two to four weeks. Don’t use clobetasol for more than five days on children less than 12 years of age unless their doctor has confirmed they should continue.

Some people with eczema may need to use clobetasol for longer periods of time. This should only be done under a doctor’s supervision. If you feel you need to use clobetasol for more than one month, check in with your doctor.

To reduce your risk of side effects, your provider may recommend taking breaks from the steroid every few weeks or switching to a less powerful steroid. Clobetasol can cause side effects similar to eczema, such as skin irritation, skin discoloration, and small bumps on the skin. The steroid may also cause the skin to thin or appear bruised or shiny. Side effects in children include slowed growth and delayed weight gain.

Don’t Stop Clobetasol Abruptly

If you’ve been taking clobetasol for a while, you’ll likely need to taper (slowly reduce) your use of the steroid before stopping. This may mean using clobetasol in smaller amounts or less often. Tapering helps prevent skin issues from returning after you’ve stopped using the medication.

Stopping clobetasol after using it for a long time can also increase your chances of having a withdrawal reaction. This will feel different from your eczema symptoms returning. A withdrawal reaction may feel like a burning sensation over a larger portion of your skin than you were treating. This reaction can also cause skin to appear red, though this may not be easy to see on some skin types.

Talk to your doctor about how to stop using clobetasol or if you have symptoms after stopping. Don’t start using clobetasol again to treat a withdrawal reaction or symptoms that return less than two weeks after stopping the steroid.

Keep Clobetasol Away From Children

Children are more likely to absorb toxic amounts of topical corticosteroids. This is because they have a higher skin-to-body-weight ratio. High amounts of steroids that are absorbed into the body can cause issues like high blood sugar and hormone problems. Corticosteroids can also lead to Cushing syndrome, a disorder caused by high levels of cortisol.

Unlike other types of medication containers, many clobetasol bottles aren’t designed to be childproof. Make sure to keep the container closed tightly and out of reach of children. If your container has a safety cap, always keep it locked when not in use.

It’s important to safely store clobetasol when you’re not using it. The steroid should be kept in a room-temperature location away from moisture.

Read Directions and Warnings Carefully

In addition to following your doctor’s directions for use, make sure to read the instructions included with your product. Strong medications like clobetasol should be used only as directed.

Some forms of clobetasol, such as clobetasol foam, may come with a specific set of warnings. The foam version of the steroid can catch fire, so when using clobetasol foam, stay away from open flames and fire. Don’t smoke while applying the foam or soon after you’ve applied it.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyEczemaTeam is the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones. On MyEczemaTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

Have you used clobetasol to treat your eczema? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.