Elocon is mometasone furoate 0.1%, a potent topical steroid for eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. It is applied once daily, which is unusual for a steroid cream and is its main practical advantage.
What is Elocon?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists Elocon as a Schedule 4 cream containing mometasone furoate 1 mg/g — which is 0.1%. An ointment and a scalp lotion exist in the range internationally.
Mometasone furoate is a potent corticosteroid. Topical steroids are classified into four broad potency groups, and where a product sits determines what it may safely be used for and for how long.
Corticosteroids work by switching off the inflammatory response in the skin at the level of the genes involved — reducing redness, swelling and, most usefully, the itch that drives scratching and keeps eczema going.
Two things distinguish mometasone from other potent steroids:
It is applied once daily. Most topical steroids are applied twice. Once-daily dosing improves adherence and reduces total steroid applied — a real advantage over a long course.
It is a “soft” steroid. Mometasone is designed to be active in the skin and then broken down relatively quickly once absorbed. That gives good local effect with less systemic exposure than older potent steroids — which is why it is often chosen where a potent steroid is needed on a larger area or for longer.
The formulation matters. An ointment holds moisture in and suits dry, thickened or scaly skin. A cream is lighter and suits weeping or moist areas, and is more comfortable on the face and in folds. Both contain the same strength — the difference is where they are comfortable, not how strong they are.
What is Elocon commonly used for?
- Atopic eczema, particularly moderate to severe flares.
- Contact dermatitis, allergic and irritant.
- Discoid (nummular) eczema.
- Psoriasis — plaques on the body, under supervision.
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis, on advice.
- Lichen planus and lichen simplex.
- Severe insect bite reactions and sunburn, short-term.
- Hand and foot eczema, where thicker skin needs a stronger preparation.
Where it should not go without specific advice: the face, eyelids, genitals, and skin folds such as the armpits and groin. Skin at those sites is thin and absorbs far more, and potent steroids can cause lasting damage there quickly. Mometasone is sometimes used briefly on the face under direction, but that is a doctor’s decision.
What it does not treat:
Infection. Elocon contains no antibiotic or antifungal. On a fungal rash it calms the redness while the fungus spreads underneath, producing a larger, oddly shaped rash that is harder to recognise and treat. On bacterially infected skin it can make things worse.
Acne and rosacea, which steroids typically aggravate.
The underlying tendency. Eczema is a long-term condition of the skin barrier. A steroid settles a flare; it does not remove the tendency to flare. Emollients used every day, including when the skin looks well, are what reduce how often flares happen — and that is the part most often neglected.
How Elocon fits into this medicine category
| Potency | Examples | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Hydrocortisone 1% | Face, folds, children, mild eczema |
| Moderate | Clobetasone butyrate | Moderate eczema; delicate sites briefly |
| Potent | Mometasone (Elocon), betamethasone (Clomaderm) | Moderate to severe eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis |
| Very potent | Clobetasol propionate | Severe or resistant conditions, specialist use |
| Antifungals | Clotrimazole (Canex V) | Fungal infection |
| Emollients | Emulsifying ointment, aqueous cream | Daily barrier care — the long-term treatment |
See the skin and wound care hub.
What to check before using Elocon
Do not use it on a rash that has not been identified, and do not use it on infected skin — weeping, golden crusting, pus, spreading redness, heat or fever.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
- You are treating the face, eyelids, genitals or skin folds.
- You are treating a child. Mometasone is used in children, but children absorb far more relative to their size and this should be directed by a doctor.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding. If used on the breast, wash it off before feeding.
- You have rosacea, perioral dermatitis or acne, which steroids worsen.
- You have psoriasis — steroids are used, but stopping can cause a rebound flare, so this needs supervision.
- You need to treat large areas or use it long-term.
- You have leg ulcers, where steroids raise infection risk.
Using it properly:
- Apply a thin layer once daily to affected skin only.
- Use the fingertip unit as a guide — one adult fingertip covers about two adult palms.
- Do not use it for more than two weeks continuously without medical advice, and less on delicate sites.
- Do not cover with an airtight dressing unless told to — occlusion greatly increases absorption.
- Keep using your emollient, leaving fifteen to twenty minutes between the two.
- Do not share it, and do not keep it as a general-purpose rash cream.
- Wash your hands afterwards unless treating them.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Used correctly for short courses on the right diagnosis, potent topical steroids are safe and effective — and under-treating a flare out of steroid fear causes its own harm, through sleepless scratching, broken skin and infection.
Prolonged or excessive use has real and partly permanent effects, mostly local:
- Skin thinning, with shininess, visible blood vessels and easy bruising
- Stretch marks, which do not resolve
- Increased hair growth, or lightening of treated skin
- Perioral dermatitis around the mouth
- Rebound flare on stopping after prolonged use
- Masked or worsened infection
- With heavy use over large areas, particularly in children, absorption enough to affect the body
Stop and seek advice if the treated skin becomes thinner, shinier, marked with stretch marks or visible vessels, or if the rash worsens rather than settles.
Get emergency help for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a rapidly spreading blistering rash.
Contact your doctor if:
- The rash is not improving after one to two weeks, or returns as soon as you stop.
- The skin becomes weeping, crusted, pustular, hot or painful, or you develop a fever.
- Small blisters, punched-out sores or rapidly spreading painful lesions appear on eczema — this can be eczema herpeticum, needing urgent antiviral treatment.
- You are using it most weeks, which means the underlying condition needs a better long-term plan.
- Eczema is disturbing sleep, in a child or an adult.
Related medicine guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Elocon cream used for? Eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions. It contains mometasone furoate 0.1%, a potent topical steroid.
What is Elocon ointment used for? The same conditions. The ointment suits dry, thickened or scaly skin; the cream suits weeping areas and delicate sites. Both are the same strength.
How often do I apply it? Once daily, which is unusual for a steroid cream and is its main practical advantage.
Is it strong? Yes — it is in the potent class, considerably stronger than hydrocortisone.
Can I use it on my face? Only on medical advice and briefly. Facial skin is thin and potent steroids can cause lasting thinning and visible vessels.
Can I use it on ringworm? No. It contains no antifungal, and the steroid lets the fungus spread while masking the redness.
How long can I use it? Generally up to two weeks continuously, less on delicate sites. Longer use should be supervised.
Do I still need my moisturiser? Yes. Emollients used daily are what reduce how often flares happen. The steroid only treats the flare.