title: Topical vitamin D3 (tacalcitol) for steroid-resistant prurigo.
abstract: A topical vitamin D3 ointment (tacalcitol) was prescribed for patients with long-lasting pruriginous lesions (four with prurigo nodularis and seven with subacute prurigo, four of whom had atopic dermatitis). Seven of 11 cases had not responded to a topical steroid ointment and even to occlusive application of the ointment. Nine of 11 cases showed a significant clinical response to this new regimen within 4 weeks. Epidermal Fc epsilon R1(+) dendritic cells were increased in number in prurigo nodularis and reduced to normal level after the therapy. Topical vitamin D3 ointment might be an alternative therapy for steroid-resistant prurigo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishioka
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011536:Prurigo / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002762:Cholecalciferol