Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using betamethasone for skin

Betamethasone skin treatments are safe to use during pregnancy.

Because it's applied to your skin, very little medicine gets into your blood and almost none gets to your baby. Even if a small amount does get to your baby, it will not harm them.

You can use betamethasone skin treatments while you're breastfeeding. But try to apply it to the smallest areas possible and try to avoid using it for long periods of time.

It's not known how much passes into breast milk, but it's likely to be a tiny amount. It's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

Take care that your baby does not touch any areas of your body where you've used betamethasone.

If you need to treat your breasts, it might be better to use a medicine that's less strong. However, if your doctor or pharmacist advises you to use betamethasone, wash off any cream or ointment from your breasts or nipples, then wash your hands before feeding your baby. The cream is better to use as it's easier to wash off.

Skin treatments containing betamethasone may also contain other ingredients such as antibacterials and antifungals. It's still OK to use them while breastfeeding.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

There's no evidence that betamethasone affects fertility in either men or women.

• you're breastfeeding and you want to use betamethasone