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Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in the treatment of allergic contact eyelid dermatitis
Author(s) -
Katsarou A,
Armenaka M,
Vosynioti V,
Lagogianni E,
Kalogeromitros D,
Katsambas A
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.03056.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tacrolimus , tolerability , dermatology , itching , erythema , eyelid , atopic dermatitis , adverse effect , allergy , allergic contact dermatitis , contact dermatitis , surgery , transplantation , immunology
Background Tacrolimus inhibits T‐lymphocyte activation and dermal Langerhans’ cells, without the side‐effects of corticosteroids. The safety profile of tacrolimus makes it a promising therapeutic option for dermatitis affecting the delicate periorbital skin. Objective To access the efficacy and tolerability of tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in the treatment of allergic contact eyelid dermatitis. Patients and methods Twenty adults (16 women, 4 men) with eyelid dermatitis and with at least one positive patch test reaction to relevant contact allergens were treated with topical tacrolimus in a prospective, open‐label, non‐comparative clinical study. Dermatitis was graded at baseline, at day 30 and day 60, using a 4‐point grading system for the following parameters: erythema, oedema, scaling, lichenification, fissuring (investigator assessment) and burning/stinging and pruritus (patient assessment). Results All patients completed the study. Erythema, oedema, scaling and lichenification showed improvement from baseline to 30 days of treatment ( P < 0.001), but fissuring was not significantly affected. At 60 days, no further improvement of these investigator parameters was observed. Patient parameters improved significantly by day 30 ( P < 0.004) and there was a trend for further improvement at the end of 60 days (for burning, P = 0.046; for pruritus, P = 0.059). Ten per cent of patients mentioned burning and itching, at the application site, during the first days of treatment. No other adverse events were observed. Conclusion Topical tacrolimus is a promising alternative in patients with allergic contact eyelid dermatitis. Therapy was effective by 1 month and was well tolerated. These preliminary results merit a larger, controlled, study. Conflict of interest This study was not funded by a drug company, and none of the investigators have received financial support/grants by the makers of the drug tacrolimus.