Betamethasone Ointment
From £12.99
We’re here to help.
Our friendly team is available to help Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.
If you need urgent assistance, do not use this service. Call 111, or in an emergency call 999.
Our friendly team is available to help Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.
If you need urgent assistance, do not use this service. Call 111, or in an emergency call 999.
0 items in your cart
Living with eczema means dealing with persistent itching, inflamed skin, and flare-ups that seem to arrive at the worst possible moments. Around 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults in the UK are affected. While there is no cure, the right treatment plan — combining prescription topical treatments with good skin care habits — can dramatically reduce flare frequency and severity. Get a prescription online without waiting for a GP appointment.
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing dry, intensely itchy, and inflamed skin. It occurs when the skin barrier — which normally keeps moisture in and irritants out — is impaired, making the skin prone to dryness, irritation, and immune overreaction.
Eczema affects around 1 in 5 children and 1 in 10 adults in the UK. It often begins in childhood and may persist into or develop in adulthood. It frequently occurs alongside other atopic conditions such as hay fever and asthma. Contact dermatitis — caused by direct skin contact with an irritant or allergen — is a related but distinct condition that can occur without a personal or family history of atopy.
Symptoms of eczema and dermatitis
Eczema symptoms vary in severity from mild dryness to severe, widespread inflammation. The condition typically follows a pattern of flares and remissions — periods of clear skin interrupted by worsening symptoms.
Intense itching — the most distressing symptom, often worse at night. Scratching provides brief relief but damages the skin and worsens inflammation (the itch-scratch cycle).
Dry, rough, or scaly skin — the skin barrier dysfunction in eczema causes increased water loss, leaving skin persistently dry and prone to cracking.
Red, inflamed patches — most commonly affecting inner elbows, behind the knees, face, neck, wrists, and hands in adults. In infants, the face and scalp are often affected first.
Weeping, oozing, or crusting skin — in an active flare or when infected, areas of broken skin may produce clear or yellow fluid.
Thickened, lichenified skin — repeated scratching causes skin to thicken and take on a leathery texture (lichenification), particularly in chronic eczema.
Our clinicians may recommend one of the treatment options below, depending on your symptoms, medical history, and whether the treatment is appropriate for you.
| Treatment type | How it works | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild topical steroid (hydrocortisone) | Reduces inflammation and itching | Face, skin folds, mild flares | £12.99 |
| Moderate steroid (Eumovate) | Stronger anti-inflammatory effect | Mild–moderate body eczema | £15.99 |
| Potent steroid (Betnovate) | Strong and fast-acting anti-inflammatory | Moderate–severe body eczema flares | £14.99 |
| Antibiotic-steroid combination | Treats infection + reduces inflammation | Infected eczema (weeping / crusting) | £12.99 |
Not sure which eczema treatment is right for you? A UK clinician will recommend the right option
Complete a short consultation so our clinicians can understand your eczema & dermatitis treatments treatment needs.
A prescriber checks whether treatment is clinically safe and appropriate for you.
If approved, your treatment is dispensed and delivered in plain packaging.
Speak to a clinician if your symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your quality of life.
Eczema myths can lead to ineffective self-treatment, unnecessary food restrictions, and fear of medications that are actually safe and effective.
Topical steroid phobia leads to under-treatment and prolonged suffering. Used correctly — the right potency, on the right area, for the appropriate duration — topical corticosteroids are safe and effective. Skin thinning only occurs with prolonged incorrect use. Your prescriber will advise the appropriate steroid strength and course length for your individual situation.
Food allergy is a trigger in a minority of children with severe eczema (most commonly egg, milk, wheat, soy, and nuts). In adults, true food-triggered eczema is uncommon. Unnecessarily restricting foods without identified triggers can lead to nutritional deficiencies and does not improve eczema in most people.
Eczema cannot be caught or spread — it is a genetically influenced inflammatory skin condition, not an infection. Infected eczema may contain bacteria, but even this is not contagious in the usual sense. There is no reason to avoid physical contact with someone who has eczema.
While many children with atopic eczema do see significant improvement by their teens, around 30–40% continue to have eczema into adulthood. Adult-onset eczema is also well recognised. Assuming eczema will resolve without intervention can lead to years of unnecessary discomfort and skin damage.
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your symptoms and treatment options. Treatment options, including prescription-only medicines, are only discussed after your questionnaire is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician. Completing an online consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued — this is assessed on individual clinical merit.
Prescription treatments reduce flares significantly, but consistent daily skin care is essential for long-term eczema control. This is an area where good habits produce measurable, lasting benefits.
Moisturise liberally and frequently — every day without exception
Apply emollient at least twice daily to all affected areas, even when the skin appears clear. Use 500g of emollient per week for a widespread condition — far more than most people apply. Emollients should be used as your soap substitute and in the bath or shower too.
Identify and avoid your personal triggers
Keeping a symptom diary tracking skin condition, activities, diet, stress, and environmental factors can help identify patterns. Common triggers to consider include soap, washing powder, synthetic fabrics, dust mites, pet dander, heat, sweating, and stress. Eliminating confirmed triggers can dramatically reduce flare frequency.
Switch to gentle, fragrance-free products
Replace standard soap, shower gel, and shampoo with fragrance-free, non-detergent alternatives. Biological washing powder, fabric softener, and household cleaning products are common irritants. Wear cotton clothing next to the skin and wash new clothes before wearing. Avoid wool directly against affected skin.
Resist scratching — protect the skin barrier
Scratching breaks the skin barrier and introduces bacteria, significantly increasing the risk of infection and worsening the itch-scratch cycle. Keep fingernails short and clean. Antihistamines may help with night-time itching, though evidence is mixed. Covering affected areas with cotton bandages (wet wrapping) can help in severe flares.
Common questions about eczema & dermatitis answered
Eczema is also popularly regarded as Atopic dermatitis a condition that causes your skin to be itchy or red. This health condition is predominant in children and can occur at a different age. Eczema is very common and chronic, often characterised as dry and appear with a red rash. The truth is, eczema isn't a single health condition, but has several skin-related diseases and can easily be recognized. On this note, eczema is not a single health condition, but reactions that produce several diseases. It often begins as red, then raises tiny blisters that contain fluid.
Once your skin itches or turns red, you may be having eczema. Nevertheless, we shall be looking at the different types of eczema. The following are some types of eczema you should know; Atopic Dermatitis - This is the most common type of eczema. This is why eczema, itself is often regarded as atopic dermatitis. It begins from childhood and gets away during adulthood. The type of eczema belongs to the "Triad” family (The three re asthma, hay fever and eczema). It is often characterized as dry skin. Nummular Dermatitis - It causes dry and round patches on the body during the winter season. This is very common in men and usually affect the legs. Contact Dermatitis - This occurs when there is a contact with irritants which attract burning, itching and redness. Once you remedy the irritant, the inflammation will disappear. Irritant Dermatitis - This happens when the skin is frequently open to the excessive toxic substance through washing Seborrheic Dermatitis - produces a rash on the face, ears in adult. It produces weepy, oozy rash around the ears Dyshidrotic Dermatitis - this type of eczema affect your palms, hands, fingers and soles of the feet. Often characterize with itchy, patches and pain. This type of eczema is very common in women
There are several treatment options for eczema. It all depends on the nature and condition of the person. Some people condition may be severe than others. Eczema treatment may include the following; Topical Medications – Doctors can prescribe cream to help moisturise the skin and also reduce itchiness and inflammation. Oral Medications - Doctors can also prescribe oral medications to individuals with eczema in diverse areas. Some example of oral medications is cyclosporine, oral steroids, methotrexate and more. Wet Dressings - are an effective way to treat severe eczema. You need the help of a medical practitioner Calcineurin Inhibitors - These are treatments that boost your immune system. They help to reduce inflammation with eczema
The primary symptom of eczema is itchy, rough, dry, inflamed and irritated skin. It often appears in any part of the body, most likely in your inner elbows, arms or back of the knees. This health condition is not contagious, and can also disappear as you grow old. Below are some symptoms associated with eczema; Itching Dry skin Red to brownish-grey patches on the feet, wrists, ankles, neck, eyelids and more Scaly, cracked and thickened skin Swollen skin from scratching Eczema often begins before the age of 5 and may proceed all through adolescence and adulthood if not properly treated.
Eczema is often treated in the UK by family physicians. Since there are various causes of eczema- it is important to seek help from medical professionals . This is significant for your general wellbeing. Our Doctors help to diagnose and offer efficient and result-driven treatment to any form of eczema. We simply know the right and ideal treatment for you. Reach out today for fast recovery.
Helpful reads related to this treatment area.
Home › Dandruff & Psoriasis › Betnovate Uses Skin Health · Prescription Steroid · Betnovat …
Home › Dandruff & Psoriasis › Dermovate Guide Scalp & Skin Health · Prescription Steroi …
Home › Eczema & Dermatitis › Dermovate Cream Eczema & Dermatitis · Prescription Treatme …
Start a short online consultation and our clinical team will review whether treatment is suitable for you.