Topical Tacrolimus for eczema

[Punxsutawney]

Ds has been prescribed this by a gp this morning. I think she was a gp registrar and seemed a bit confused at what strength to prescribe and how often to use it. The pharmacy have to order it in, so we can't get it until Monday anyway. She said he needs to be reviewed after two weeks although the surgery can't give him another appointment until three weeks time.

Ds is 15 and has some really sore areas on the inside of his elbows, behind his knees and on his torso. The skin sometimes weeps and is cracked. He doesn't have a lot of relief from the steriods so this is why he has this prescription. Has anyone used this for their child's eczema? Does it seem to work well?. Ds has never seen a dermatologist and we have not asked for a referral but his sore skin has caused him issues for over a year now.

My son had Protopic (tacrolimus) 0.1%. We were told to use it just on the worst parts, eg where his skin was weeping (betnovate RD for the rest). It really helped.

Avoid exposing the areas to the sun - we applied mostly at night to avoid this.

Thanks cat that's really useful. I think it's the 0.1% too. We don't seem to have found much that will work although Ds is a bit stubborn about using the emollients. She also gave him some dermal lotion for the shower and some Epaderm emollient. We already have emumovate and hydrocortisone at home. Fingers crossed it will all help.

Yes we have Protopic for the face for DD who has had eczema all her life (11 now) and it's super. It's 0.1% too. We use Elocon Ointment (also prescribed by her consultant) for her hands - fab stuff. Please ask for a referral to an allergist or dermatologist. Otherwise I'd say it's pot luck what the GP suggests as most aren't specialists in this. It's so uncomfortable and a specialist will help so much IMO. We saw Adam Fox in London if you're any where near.

Thanks Thoros glad you have had some success with it. The appointment today was actually to discuss something else that needed a referral and she commented on the eczema before we had time to even mention it. He also has acne on his face (although not severe) so it's rubbish having eczema that makes his skin so dry and acne that makes it greasy. He's on oral antibiotics for the acne although they want him to have a break after he finishes his current prescription.

I have always presumed that they would not refer as the gp he saw a few months ago said 'I've seen worse', not particularly helpful. It's uncomfortable and itchy and he hates it when it bleeds and weeps and there are often comments made at school especially when he changes for pe. He's back and seeing a different gp in three weeks to check how it's working so will see what they say then.

'I've seen worse' is such a crap response from a GP!! I'd be furious. It's awful living with eczema and my DD has had the skin split on her fingers - the pain and discomfort was huge plus the visual look of her hands had me back to our consultant as I didn't want her starting secondary trying to hide her fingers and dealing with the comments.

In my opinion if the GP can't prescribe properly to stop weeping and bleeding then you need more in depth knowledge you'd get from a consultant. When the skin cracks the possibility of infection increases. Plus the pain! Fingers crossed you get this sorted for your son.