Enstilar Foam

What is Enstilar foam?

Enstilar foam is a highly-effective topical treatment used to treat psoriasis. Containing the active substances of calcipotriol and betamethasone, it works to reduce inflammation and slow the overproduction of skin cells.

Each 60g bottle of Enstilar spray foam comes with a spray nozzle, making every application easy and mess-free (even when treating hard-to-reach areas). This treatment is safe for treating psoriasis on any part of the body aside from the face or genitals, making it viable for use on the scalp.

A four-week course of daily treatment (which is the recommended treatment period for the average user) should produce a noticeable improvement in the look and feel of the skin in the affected area, alleviating your pain and discomfort.

How does it reduce skin irritation?

The active substances in Enstilar foam are calcipotriol and betamethasone. Calcipotriol is a Vitamin D derivative that slows the production of skin cells, and betamethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation.

By deploying these ingredients together, Enstilar foam has been clinically proven to not only reduce the inflammation caused by psoriasis vulgaris (also known as plaque psoriasis) but also slow the growth rate of the skin cells that cause the development of scaly, flaky, dry patches of skin during flare-ups.

What is psoriasis vulgaris? How does it affect skin cells?

Psoriasis vulgaris, or plaque psoriasis, is a type of psoriasis that causes the growth of red, dry, silver-scaled skin lesions (or plaques). In most cases, these lesions develop on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but they can affect other areas in rare situations.

All types of psoriasis are caused by the overproduction of skin cells. This causes immature cells to build up on the surface of the skin, resulting in dry, flaky and/or scaly patches.

Psoriasis affects different people in different ways, but these patches tend to become itchy and irritated, making them highly uncomfortable. Topical treatments such as Enstilar foam can help with this, allowing sufferers to easily treat their flare-ups when needed.

It bears noting that correctly diagnosing your skin condition is essential. It’s relatively easy to mistake one skin issue for another. There’s such a thing as inverse psoriasis, for instance, which usually develops in skin folds (skin folds are often found in armpits, under breasts, at the genitals, or around fatty deposits). This leads to thin skin that looks tight and smooth instead of scaly, but the itching and pain can be similar enough to cause confusion.

Additionally, though it may look relevant, psoriasis won’t cause petechiae (patches of small red spots under the skin), as the actual cause is capillaries leaking blood. Skin irritation is an awkward issue to treat, so don’t rush into choosing a medication. If you have another form of psoriasis, such as perioral dermatitis (perioral dermatitis is an inflammatory rash that appears around your mouth), you’ll need another treatment to see results.

Alternatives to Enstilar foam

Enstilar is one of many branded treatments for plaque psoriasis containing calcipotriol and betamethasone. Due to this, a suitable alternative for someone who wants the same effects is Dovobet ointment: it works in the same way and can be used to treat the same areas.

If you’re looking for a milder treatment that doesn’t contain calcipotriol and betamethasone (or any topical corticosteroids at all), consider E45 psoriasis cream. It works to hydrate and regenerate the affected area, providing a soothing effect and serving to prevent further flare-ups from occurring and offers a lower risk of adverse reactions.

Sources

• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/calcipotriol-with-betamethasone.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/
• Enstilar foam Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/2139/pil

How to apply Enstilar foam correctly

For best results, Enstilar foam should be applied daily for a 4-week course of treatment. The dosage will depend on the affected area (or areas) you’re targeting. Here are some tips:

How to treat psoriasis on your body:

• Shake the can well before use
• Point the can at the area you want to treat, holding it 3cm away
• Depress the lid to spray enough foam to cover the affected area
• Gently rub the foam into your skin
• Wash your hands thoroughly

How to treat psoriasis on your scalp:

• Ensure that your scalp and hair are fully dry
• Comb your scalp and hair to remove any loose skin
• Wash your hands thoroughly
• Shake the can well before use
• Hold the can 3cm away from the palm of your hand
• Depress the lid to spray enough foam to cover the affected area
• Apply the foam directly to the affected skin on your scalp
• Use your fingertips to gently rub the foam into your skin
• Wash your hands again, but don’t wash your hair

Enstilar foam ingredients

Enstilar foam contains the following active ingredients: calcipotriol (50mg per 1g of foam) and betamethasone (0.5mg per 1g of foam).

It also contains the following: liquid paraffin, polyoxypropylene stearyl ether, all-rac-α-tocopherol, white soft paraffin, butylhydroxytoluene (E321), butane, and dimethyl ether.

Possible side effects

Enstilar foam can produce side effects, though this is uncommon (affecting fewer than 1 in 100 users). Most are local adverse reactions that don’t amount to much. If you experience any of the following side effects, though, you should discontinue treatment immediately:

• Worsening of your psoriasis
• Loss of skin pigmentation
• Skin irritation (rashes, pain, itching, or a burning, stinging sensation)
• Swelling at the roots of hair follicles

Additionally, you need to consider the prospect of allergic reactions. While it’s very unlikely that you’ll experience an allergic reaction, it’s still a possibility. If you suffer one, particularly a severe allergic reaction, seek medical help immediately.

Enstilar foam warnings

There’s a Patient Information Leaflet provided in each package. It’s important to read this leaflet carefully before using the product. You should also keep the following points in mind:

• Enstilar foam is for adult use only and is solely intended for use on areas of the skin aside from the face and genitals.
• Sufferers of diabetes or guttate psoriasis should speak to their doctors before using this product.
• Users who notice issues such as skin infections, worsened pain or unusual changes to the appearance of their skin (such as changed skin colour) should speak to their doctors.
• It’s important to avoid smoking or naked flames while using this product, as it contains flammable ingredients.
• Anyone who’s using — or has recently used — other drugs or medication (over-the-counter or prescribed) should seek medical advice before using this treatment. Despite the topical nature of the treatment, negative drug interactions are still possible.

Additionally, keep in mind that calcipotriol raises blood calcium levels, so an overdose can lead to hypercalcaemia (elevated calcium in the blood). If you’re using Enstilar foam frequently and applying it liberally, look out for the following symptoms:

• Lethargy, fatigue, or confusion
• Elevated thirst
• Frequent urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Muscle weakness
• Bone pain

If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should discuss your treatment options with a medical professional before using this product. If you’re told that it’s safe to use while breastfeeding, avoid using it on the skin of (or around) your breasts.