How to Use Betacap Scalp Application: Dosage and Step-by-Step Guide
The practical guide to Betacap: how much to use, how often, how to apply it with the nozzle, and how to use it safely alongside other scalp treatments.
Part of the Dandruff & Psoriasis Health Guide.
When to get urgent help: Call 999 or go to A&E if your skin quickly turns red and you develop white, pus-filled bumps that join together – you may also have a fast heartbeat, a high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery. These can be signs of a more serious condition, such as pustular psoriasis, or an infection. Also call 999 if you have swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing. Stop using Betacap and contact your prescriber, GP or NHS 111 if your scalp becomes hot, painful, crusted or weeping, or if redness and burning spread beyond the treated area after you stop.
Key fact: Betacap is a potent steroid scalp solution containing betamethasone (as valerate) 0.1%. It is applied to dry hair straight from the bottle’s nozzle, usually morning and evening at first, then less often as the scalp improves.
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Access Doctor provides Betacap following a GPhC-regulated online consultation with our pharmacist independent prescribers.
Start consultation →What Betacap is and when it is prescribed
Betacap scalp application contains betamethasone (as valerate) 0.1%, a potent topical corticosteroid, in a quick-drying solution that spreads through hair to the skin. The solution contains isopropyl alcohol, along with a coconut-derived emollient (macrogolglycerol cocoates) that is included to reduce the drying effect of the alcohol.
It is licensed for inflammatory scalp conditions that have not responded to less potent steroids, such as:
- Scalp psoriasis — well-defined, thick, scaly plaques on the scalp
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp — red, inflamed, flaky skin that has not settled with an antifungal shampoo alone
Betacap must not be used on an infected scalp, it is not licensed to treat hair loss, and it controls a flare rather than curing the underlying condition. Betnovate Scalp Application contains the same active ingredient at the same strength in a different base; you can read about it on our Betnovate Scalp Application page.
Prescription-only medicine. Before prescribing, our pharmacist prescribers will ask about other steroid products you use, any scalp infection or broken skin, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and previous reactions to steroids.
Betacap dosage
| Who | How much | How often | How long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults and older people | A small amount, enough to cover the affected areas | Morning and evening until it improves, then less often — the minimum needed to keep it under control | Reviewed at 4 weeks (NICE CG153); not continuously for weeks or months |
| Children over 1 year | A smaller amount than adults | As directed by the prescriber; no airtight covering | Seborrhoeic dermatitis: no longer than 5–7 days |
| Babies under 1 year | Must not be used | ||
NICE advises that a potent steroid for scalp psoriasis is used once daily for up to 4 weeks, while the Betacap licence describes twice-daily use until improvement. Your prescriber will tell you which schedule applies to you — follow the instructions on your label.
How to apply Betacap step by step
1
Start with dry hair
On days you shampoo, apply Betacap after drying your hair. We suggest towel-drying, and the scalp must not be dried with a hairdryer after Betacap is applied.
2
Part the hair over a patch
Part your hair so you can see the affected skin. A mirror helps for areas at the back of the head.
3
Apply with the nozzle
Turn the bottle upside down over your head and hold the nozzle against the patch to be treated. Squeeze gently so a small amount covers the affected skin.
4
Rub in gently
Massage the liquid gently into the scalp, then repeat on each affected area. There is no benefit to treating clear skin.
5
Let it dry naturally
Leave it on and let the scalp air-dry. Do not rinse it out, cover the scalp, or use a hairdryer.
6
Wash your hands
Always wash your hands after use and keep the liquid away from your eyes.
Highly flammable: Betacap contains alcohol. Keep it away from flames, lit cigarettes and other ignition sources while applying it and until your hair is dry, and do not use a hairdryer.
How long it takes to work and when to review
Itching often settles before the scale visibly changes, and the frequency can be reduced once the scalp improves. NICE recommends that treatment for scalp psoriasis is reviewed 4 weeks after starting. If your scalp has not improved by then, or is getting worse, contact your prescriber; NICE suggests trying a different formulation or a descaling treatment before moving to a combined calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate product.
If your symptoms come back within 2 weeks of stopping, the leaflet advises not to restart Betacap without speaking to your prescriber first. For course limits, breaks between courses and what Betacap means for hair, see how long you can use Betacap.
Practical tips
- If you apply it at night, put a towel over your pillow until it is dry.
- Avoid cuts, scratches and broken skin, and keep it away from your eyes.
- Set a reminder for morning and evening doses so you do not double up.
- Store below 25°C with the cap tightly closed, in the carton to protect it from light.
- Keep a note of how your scalp looks each week to discuss at your review.
Side effects
The Betacap leaflet does not give frequencies for its side effects. The ones listed are:
- Skin irritation where it is applied — stop using it if this happens
- Pustular psoriasis — a more severe form of psoriasis that can be triggered by steroids (see the urgent help box above)
- Thinning of the skin and adrenal suppression with prolonged, heavy use, particularly in children or under a covering
- Steroid withdrawal reaction — redness, burning, itching, peeling or oozing that can start days to weeks after stopping long-term treatment
- Blurred vision or other changes in eyesight — tell your doctor
Using Betacap with other scalp treatments
With an antifungal shampoo
For seborrhoeic dermatitis, Betacap is often used alongside a ketoconazole shampoo. Wash with the shampoo, dry your hair, then apply Betacap to the affected areas.
After a descaling treatment
Thick scale can stop a steroid reaching the skin. A descaling product such as Cocois ointment can be applied first and washed out as directed; once the hair is dry, apply Betacap.
With other steroid products
Do not use Betacap on the same areas as another steroid, such as Dovobet gel, unless your prescriber has told you to, because the steroid effects add up.
UK safety and prescribing information
- Legal status: Betacap is a prescription-only medicine (POM). At Access Doctor it is prescribed only after an online consultation with a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber, who may decline and refer you to your GP if it is not suitable.
- Licensed use: scalp conditions such as psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis that do not respond to less potent steroids. Not for children under 1 year or on an infected scalp.
- Course limits: NICE advises review at 4 weeks, a 4-week break between courses of a potent steroid where possible, and no continuous use of a potent steroid at any site for longer than 8 weeks.
- Steroid withdrawal: the MHRA warns that stopping after long-term use can cause redness, stinging and burning that may spread beyond the treated area. If your skin gets worse within 2 weeks of stopping, do not restart treatment without speaking to your prescriber.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the leaflet advises not to use Betacap unless your doctor recommends it.
- Fire risk: highly flammable — no smoking or flames until the hair is dry, and no hairdryer.
- Reporting side effects: you can report suspected side effects to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme website or the Yellow Card app.
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Complete a short confidential consultation reviewed by our GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. If Betacap is suitable, it is dispensed from our UK pharmacy.
Start consultation →Frequently asked questions
What is Betacap used to treat?
Betacap scalp application (betamethasone valerate 0.1%) is a potent steroid used to treat inflammatory scalp conditions, mainly scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis that have not responded to weaker steroids. It must not be used on an infected scalp and is not licensed to treat hair loss.
How do I apply Betacap?
Make sure your hair is dry. Turn the bottle upside down, hold the nozzle against the affected skin and squeeze gently so a small amount covers the patch. Rub it in gently, let it dry naturally and wash your hands afterwards.
How often should I use Betacap?
The leaflet advises applying it morning and evening until the scalp improves, then using it less often, at the minimum needed to keep the condition under control. Your prescriber may advise once daily instead, in line with NICE guidance.
Should I apply Betacap to wet or dry hair?
Dry hair. On days you shampoo, apply Betacap after drying your hair. Do not use a hairdryer on the treated scalp, because the solution is highly flammable.
What if I miss a dose of Betacap?
Do not worry – just carry on using it when you remember. Do not apply extra to make up for a missed dose.
How long can I use Betacap for?
Use it for the shortest time needed. NICE advises reviewing scalp psoriasis treatment after 4 weeks, and the leaflet warns against using it continuously for weeks or months on end. Your prescriber will advise on the length of your course.
Can children use Betacap?
Betacap must not be used in babies under 1 year. Older children use a smaller amount, without an airtight covering, and for seborrhoeic dermatitis it should not be used for longer than 5 to 7 days.
Is Betacap safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
It is not known whether Betacap is safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the leaflet advises not to use it unless your doctor recommends it. Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
References
- NICE. Psoriasis: assessment and management (CG153). nice.org.uk
- NICE CKS. Seborrhoeic dermatitis. cks.nice.org.uk
- electronic Medicines Compendium. Betacap Scalp Application — Summary of Product Characteristics. medicines.org.uk
- MHRA. Topical corticosteroids: information on the risk of topical steroid withdrawal reactions. Drug Safety Update, September 2021. gov.uk
- NHS. Betamethasone for skin. nhs.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not replace advice from your GP, pharmacist or prescriber. Betacap is a prescription-only medicine; always follow the instructions on your label and leaflet. In a medical emergency, call 999.