title: Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in the treatment of allergic contact eyelid  dermatitis.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Athens, A. Sygros Hospital, Athens, Greece. alkats.duoa@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsarou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Armenaka
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vosynioti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lagogianni
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kalogeromitros
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsambas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus