Elocon cream is a topical psoriasis treatment that is based on mometasone furoate as an active ingredient. Classified as a corticosteroid, this treatment works by inhibiting the activity of the inflammatory chemicals released by the immune system during a psoriasis flare up. Developed and marketed in the UK by Merck Sharp and Dohme pharmaceutical company, Elocon is a prescription only medication that is available to buy in the UK in several forms, including a scalp lotion, an ointment and a cream.

What’s on this page?

Do I need Elocon?

Elocon is highly successful at managing various skin conditions, most notably eczema and psoriasis. However, the question of whether this treatment will actually be prescribed can be answered only by your doctor.

Psoriasis is thought to affect roughly two per every 100 people in the UK. As a chronic skin condition, it cannot be truly cured, but only managed with certain level of success. For most, psoriasis won’t be a constantly present condition, but will instead go through periods of activity and remissions. The medical experts on the topic largely agree that the condition can be exacerbated and its flare ups triggered by certain factors including smoking, excessive drinking, stress or use of certain medications.

Because of this, avoidance strategies are usually recommended as a primary method of dealing with the condition. In those cases where this approach is not producing the desired results, prescription medications such as Elocon will be necessary to keep the condition under control.

How does Elocon treat psoriasis?

Psoriasis is marked by an array of symptoms localised to the skin, including irritation in the form of redness and itching which later escalate into flaking and appearance of scaly tissue in the affected region. This is so because the symptoms of psoriasis can be directly tied to the autoimmune reaction.

Once the body detects infection that isn’t really present, it will begin releasing inflammatory chemicals which might end up attacking healthy skin tissue, thus causing irritation. In time, the new skin cells will be produced at a rate higher than that of old cells shedding, leading to characteristic flaking and scaly appearance of the skin.

Elocon will manage to halt these processes thanks to its active ingredient, a corticosteroid called mometasone furoate. This compound will inhibit the activity of inflammatory chemicals released by the body’s immune system, thus providing relief from the symptoms and allowing the body to heal. This mechanism of action is highly reliable and known to produce the desired results, as evidenced by its utilisation in practically all psoriasis medications in the UK, with Eumovate being just one of many such examples.

Can I buy Elocon online in the UK?

Elocon is a corticosteroid medication and as such, it is strictly regulated in the UK, meaning that it can be obtained only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. Luckily, in the 21st century, this poses no problem even if you are looking to buy Elocon online, without leaving the comfort of your home.

Numerous online clinics operating within the country make this process fairly simple and straightforward. All you need to do is contact the clinic via their website and fill in a detailed and specialised medical questionnaire that the doctor will present you. The information obtained this way will be used to determine your suitability for using Elocon. If everything checks out, you will be able to buy Elocon online and the doctor will then have the medication sent from a partner UK pharmacy to the address you provided.

How to take Elocon?

When using Elocon, you should always make sure that you are doing that exactly as instructed by your doctor and in line with the official information on the topic. Aside from doctor’s advice, reliable guidelines on how to use Elocon properly can be found in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of this psoriasis medication. By following these guidelines, you will not only significantly increase your chances of successful treatment, but will also minimise the risk of experiencing Elocon side effects.

  • Always use exactly as prescribed
  • A thin layer of cream or ointment should be spread to the affected region once daily and gently rubbed in
  • If psoriasis is present on the scalp, a few drops of scalp lotion should be applied instead
  • Neither form of Elocon is intended for long-term use
  • If you are applying Elocon on the face, you should do so no longer than five days
  • Scalp lotion should be used only on the scalp
  • Never exceed the prescribed dose
  • If you forget to apply Elocon, do so as soon as you remember and continue with the treatment as usual

Please note that the above is just a short summary of the Elocon use guide and as such it can never be used as a substitute for the doctor’s advice or the full-length guidelines presented in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Elocon, regardless of the exact form you might be using.

What are Elocon side effects?

Just like all prescription medications, Elocon also comes with a risk of certain side effects. While not everybody using Elocon will experience them, it is still advisable to get familiar with what can go wrong prior to actually commencing treatment. In this way, you will know how to act appropriately if the need occurs.

It is also important to be able to differentiate between those side effects which might be dangerous and as such, that will require you to halt treatment and seek immediate medical attention, and those which might be uncomfortable, but not really dangerous.

The former includes all signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as:

  • Hives
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat
  • Worsening of psoriasis or eczema

Other documented Elocon side effects include:

  • Risk of secondary skin infections
  • Inflammation of hair follicles
  • Acne
  • Thinning of the skin
  • Red marks
  • Skin discolouration
  • Burning, stinging, itching or tingling sensation
  • Excessive hair growth
  • Softening of the skin
  • Stretch marks

Please note that these Elocon side effects are not the only one documented. For a more comprehensive overview, please consult the official patient information leaflet that you can find within your pack of Elocon.

It is also important to mention that the risk of side effects increases exponentially with prolonged use of the medication.