title: Topical pimecrolimus 1% for the treatment of pruritic external auditory canals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand the role and efficacy of topical pimecrolimus in the treatment of refractory pruritus of the external auditory canals (EACs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with pruritic EACs who had failed conventional therapy with topical and systemic medications were treated with topical pimecrolimus 1% for a period of 3 months. Baseline and follow-up evaluation of the degree of pruritus among other variables was performed. A control group of 19 patients was instructed on aural toilet alone and was not treated with topical pimecrolimus 1%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 36 patients who were treated with topical pimecrolimus for their pruritic EACs, 34 patients had resolution of their symptoms. There was evidence of return of cerumen production in 86% of patients. In the control group, 16% of patients had improvement of their symptoms with aural toilet. This difference was statistically significant (chi, P < .0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical pimecrolimus appears to be more efficacious than aural toilet in the treatment of pruritic ears for chronic use without side effects.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago and Academic Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, Chicago, Illinois, USA. skullbasesurgery@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hamid R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Djalilian
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Memar
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D002571:Cerumen / Q000187:drug effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus