Skin Health Psoriasis Treatment What to Know About Temovate (Clobetasol Propionate) A Topical Medication Use to Treat Itchy, Red Skin Rashes By Angela Palmer Angela Palmer Facebook Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 23, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is board-certified in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She is an assistant professor at Columbia University and works in private practice in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Before Taking Dosage Side Effects Warnings and Interactions Temovate (clobetasol) is a topical medication used to treat a variety of skin conditions that cause an itchy, red, inflamed rash. It is a potent topical corticosteroid that has anti-inflammatory and anti-itch effects. In addition to Temovate, common brand names include Clobex, Clodan, Cormax, Impoyz, and Olux. Clobetasol comes in both cream and ointment forms. Lotions, sprays, foams, and shampoos are also available in certain brands. Evelien Doosje / Getty Images Uses Topical steroids are grouped into classes by strength, Class 7 being the mildest and Class 1 the strongest. Clobetasol is a Class 1 topical steroid; as such it is a highly potent corticosteroid. Clobetasol helps relieve swelling and itching due to skin rashes and irritations. It can be used to treat various skin disorders such as: Psoriasis Eczema (atopic dermatitis) Contact dermatitis, including poison ivy or poison oak rash Seborrheic dermatitis Discoid eczema Pemphigus As a high-strength topical steroid, clobetasol is meant to be used as a short-term treatment to quickly improve dermatitis rash flares. Before Taking Clobetasol is prescribed in severe cases, or when other topical steroids haven't worked. It's rarely used as a first-line treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you have diabetes, liver disease, or an adrenal gland disorder. You should tell your healthcare provider if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. The effect this medication may have on a developing baby isn't known. Precautions and Contraindications Because of its potency, this topical steroid isn't recommended for use on the face, armpits, or groin area. Clobetasol should not be used by children under the age of 12 years old and the brand Impoyz shouldn't be used by anyone under 18 years old. Children are more likely to experience side effects. Children younger than 12 years old often do better with less-potent topical steroid forms. Which Topical Steroids are Better for Children? For older people, whose skin is thinner, caution is advised. Those with delicate skin have a higher risk of side effects. You may be instructed to apply this medication less often or to use it for shorter periods of time. Clobetasol shouldn't be used to treat rosacea or perioral dermatitis. Topical steroids can make these skin conditions worse. Other Topical Corticosteroids There are many different types of prescription topical steroids available, ranging from mild to highly potent. Examples include: Desonide Prednicarbate Fluocinolone acetonide Amcinonide Fluocinonide Topical Steroids by Strength Dosage According to the manufacturer, typical dosing for clobetasol cream is twice daily to the affected areas. The amount of medication needed per application depends on the size of the area being treated, and where the medication is being applied. A fingertip-sized dab is an average dose. Your healthcare provider will show you how much medication to use per application. You should use no more than 50 grams of medication per week. Always follow the directions given to you by your healthcare provider, as the dosage for this medication varies from person to person. How to Take and Store Apply a thin layer of this medication onto affected areas and rub it in gently. Only apply it to the rash. This medication is meant to be used short-term, during acute flares of a skin rash that hasn't improved with other treatments, and it shouldn't be used for more than two weeks consecutively. Once your condition improves, you should stop using it. It is not meant to be used as a preventative treatment. Don't apply the cream more often than it's is prescribed, and don't use more medication than recommended per dose. Doing so won't clear up your rash any faster, but it raises the chance of developing side effects. Also, don't use this medication as a moisturizer. If your skin feels dry between uses, apply a non-medicated, over-the-counter moisturizing cream. Clobetasol should be stored at room temperature. How to Safely Use Topical Steroids Side Effects When used exactly as directed, the risk of side effects from this medication is low. Report any side effects to your healthcare provider. Minor Side Effects Minor side effects from this cream include: Burning and stinging after applicationItchingThinning of the skinScaling or cracked skin Less commonly, you may develop these minor side effects: Folliculitis (red, pus-filled bumps in the hair follicles)Lightening of the skin colorStretch marks These side effects typically are not permanent and often resolve after the medication is discontinued. Severe Side Effects Serious side effects due to this medication are rare. If you experience any of these, call your healthcare provider immediately: Rash not healing even after proper use of the medicationIncreased redness and swelling, or signs of infectionSigns of an allergic reaction, including hives, or swelling of the face or mouthChanges in visionFainting Using this medication over large areas of skin increases the risk of severe side effects, as does long-term use. Common Side Effects of Topical Steroids Warnings and Interactions Although this is a topical medication, enough can be absorbed through the skin to cause an overdose. To minimize this risk, don't apply to large areas of the body and don't apply more often than recommended. Also, after you've applied the medication, don't cover the area with tight clothing or with bandages unless you've been specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Tightly covering the area after application causes the skin to absorb more than it typically would. This could result in too much of the medication being absorbed by the skin and raise your risk of side effects. It's possible to absorb enough of this medication through the skin to cause: Cushing's syndrome Eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts Adrenal insufficiency (HPA axis suppression) This is especially true if using it for longer consecutive periods than recommended. It's important to wash your hands thoroughly after handling this medication to avoid transferring it to other areas of your body (like your face) or to other people, especially young children. If you haven't seen improvement of your skin after two weeks of use, let your healthcare provider know. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Chong M, Fonacier L. Treatment of Eczema: Corticosteroids and Beyond. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2016 Dec;51(3):249-262. doi:10.1007/s12016-015-8486-7 Physician's Total Care, Inc. Clobetasol Propionate Cream Prescribing Information. Published April 2012. Rajabi-Estarabadi A, Hasanzadeh H, Taheri A, Feldman SR, Firooz A. The efficacy of short-term clobetasol lotion in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2018 Mar;29(2):111-115. doi:10.1080/09546634.2017.1341616