This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Betamethasone skin treatments are used to treat itching, swollen and irritated skin. They can help with conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis.
Betamethasone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (also called a corticosteroid). Steroids are copies of a hormone your body makes naturally. They're not the same as anabolic steroids.
It works by stopping chemicals being released into the skin when you have an allergic reaction or when your skin is irritated. Betamethasone skin treatments help to reduce the swelling, redness and itching.
Betamethasone skin treatments are stronger than some other skin treatments such as hydrocortisone. Betamethasone is usually prescribed when other medicines have not worked.
Betamethasone skin treatments are available on prescription only. They come as:
- creams
- ointments
- lotions
- scalp treatments (lotions and foams)
- medicated plasters
Sometimes betamethasone is combined with other ingredients to treat skin infections or other skin conditions.
Betamethasone also comes as:
- an eye ointment or drops for your eyes, ears or nose to treat allergies and inflammation
- tablets and injections to treat allergies, inflammation and autoimmune conditions
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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