An open-label pilot study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topically applied tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of hand and/or foot eczema.
BACKGROUND
Hand and foot eczema is a chronic skin disorder. Although topical corticosteroids are often used to control the predominant symptoms of the disease, the chronicity of the condition increases the risk of long-term adverse effects. A safer alternative is needed.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in hand and/or foot eczema.


METHODS
Twenty-five adults applied tacrolimus ointment 0.1% to affected areas three times daily for 8 weeks and were followed for 2 additional weeks.


RESULTS
Except for vesiculation, compared with baseline there were significant improvements in erythema, scaling, induration, fissuring, composite severity, and pruritus (p<0.007). Two weeks after discontinuing treatment, significant improvement in scaling and composite severity (p<0.03) persisted, whereas erythema, induration, vesiculation, fissuring, and pruritus had returned to pre-treatment levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% is a promising corticosteroid alternative for hand/foot eczema.
Thelmo
M C
MC
Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
Lang
Wei
W
Brooke
E
E
Osborne
B E
BE
McCarty
M A
MA
Jorizzo
J L
JL
Fleischer
Alan
A
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus