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Elidel and Itching: What Users Say

Itching: mentioned by 14 users (14.9%)

Based on user experiences from 94 Elidel reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

burning 17.0%
itching 14.9%
swelling 8.5%
dry skin 6.4%
dryness 5.3%
redness 5.3%
pain 4.3%
peeling 4.3%
rash 4.3%
stinging 3.2%

Reviews for Elidel

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 24, 2017

For Eczema "My daughter just turned two and has failed every conventional method of treating her eczema. We have seen multiple specialists, and after much consideration (due to the warnings and side effects), we decided to try Elidel. After 3 days, she was almost clear. By one week, she was free of eczema, severe itching (which is by far the worst symptom), and redness/dry skin. We stopped the medication as directed, and within one day, she was in a FULL flare. We thought perhaps we did not use it long enough? We tried it again daily for another week, and here we are again back in a full flare after daily use for two weeks! So discouraging! Has anyone exp. this???"

6 / 10
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46 Report
  • Pre...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 16, 2018

For Eczema "I had little bumps (not like acne you can pop) all over my entire face! Yes, around my mouth, forehead, cheeks, and the side of my face. It was horrible. I went to the dermatologist, and she prescribed Elidel. I put it on twice a day, and it worked fast! They started clearing up by the third day of usage, and by the sixth day, they were gone. My face is clearer than before. At first, using the dosage in the morning and going outside, the sun kind of irritated my skin and caused areas of the skin on my face to itch. So I would either put the morning dose on like at 6 or 7 a.m. because I knew I wouldn’t be leaving the house until 12 and the last amount at night. I recommend not putting it on skin and going straight into the sun. But I’m so glad my doctor prescribed this, it worked for me and had no serious side effects. Oh, and you don’t have to apply much either!"

10 / 10
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38 Report
  • 7bo...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 4, 2020

"Have had rosacea for YEARS and have been on meds that affect my hormones for the same amount of time. I started a new med in Nov 2019, and the rosacea became unbearable, so I told the derm and she said she thought I looked more like I had eczema than rosacea and prescribed me Elidel. I am 35 and have never been told by ANY doctor I had eczema, so I was shocked at hearing this. She also prescribed me doxycycline, and the first 13-15 days were fantastic, my skin felt smooth, yet still showed redness. All of a sudden, after 2 weeks, bumps began to form, and now nearly 5 weeks after I started the cream, my face is absolutely HORRIFYING. I have bumps ALL over my face, they itch like no tomorrow, and my face feels tight and irritated. I stopped the cream 6 days ago, but there is 0 change in the quality or appearance of the skin. I look 15 years older as well and am heartbroken over what this cream has done to my face. If you DON'T have eczema, DON'T USE THIS CREAM!!"

1 / 10
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33 Report
  • Ora...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 6, 2019

For Eczema "I started using Elidel about a week ago. The first day I put it on, it was unbearably burning and itching. The second day, it was still stinging but not as bad, and now when I use it, it doesn't burn anymore. It clears me up pretty fast, but I still get dry, peeling skin at the application site. I’ve noticed since starting, I’ve gotten way more tired. Like I sleep for 8 hours and can't get out of bed, dead tired."

9 / 10
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32 Report
  • Rac...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 14, 2018

For Perioral Dermatitis "My 11-year-old daughter swims 6 times a week. She’s a state swimmer, and everyone told us that it was the chlorine that caused the facial dermatitis, but she’s been swimming since she was 2. Maybe hormone change could have been a trigger, but it started around her nose, spread to both sides of her chin, and then to her eyebrows. Red spots, weeping, itching, crusting. Tried cortisone 1% and many natural creams, but no steroids, as I read such bad reviews of suppressing the issue and it reappearing worse than ever. A pharmacist suggested Elidel, and we asked the doctor immediately. Within 5 days (whilst swimming), the redness has gone, and for the first time in 6 months, her skin looks normal again. I’m so impressed! It was subsidized in Oz (Australia), and we paid $40 for a small tube. Worth every cent! I just hope it controls this condition. Time will tell, as I don’t want it to be a long-term solution."

10 / 10
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34 Report

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  • Mrs...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 26, 2018

For Eczema "My 2-year-old has been suffering with eczema on his cheeks since he was 7 months old. It would only appear during winter, however, it would be extremely red, scabby, and he would itch consistently, making it bleed. On occasion, it would weep, and I am assuming it would hurt him, as at night he would not sleep. My poor little boy would suffer day after day, and nothing I did or tried would work. After spending over $600 trying to find a solution, the doctor gave us Elidel cream, and it worked within 2 days! I cannot describe how amazing this cream worked for us. I am so happy my boy is better!"

10 / 10
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29 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 22, 2016

For Eczema "Frustrated with the lack of effectiveness of any of the medications I have been given for this condition - including Elidel. Still experiencing extreme itchiness, oozing, peeling, and cracked skin. Over the years, more areas of my body are affected by this condition. Painful and unsightly."

5 / 10
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15 Report
  • Sha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 3, 2022

For Perioral Dermatitis "I've been using Elidel twice a day for a week, and it has reduced the burning and itching of my POD about 90%. However, I'm still dealing with its brownish-red scars, which is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. I'm gonna continue the use of Elidel for another 3 weeks and again share my experience."

6 / 10
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5 Report
  • Yur...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 2, 2017

For Atopic Dermatitis "The physician was wary of keeping me on steroids on my face since the dermatitis and eczema were still coming back. She gave me Elidel, and it worked really well, things cleared up within a few days. Initial side effects were application burning and itching, but my skin got used to it, and I don't get that anymore. I kept on it for several weeks, and the dermatitis didn't return by itself. I still use it for any missed spots of eczema or dermatitis that flare up. It's safe to use on top of my Avar LS wash, so now lots of my dermatitis and eczema are under control with this combo. A personal positive side effect is that it inhibited hair growth on my upper lip where I used it."

9 / 10
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9 Report
  • Ste...
  • July 1, 2016

For Perioral Dermatitis "Prescribed to me for seborrheic dermatitis on my nose, eyebrows, and eyelids. Elidel made the inflammation worse for me and migrated into my eyes, causing a lot of itchiness, irritation, and pain. Cost with discount card given to me by my doctor was $100 for a 60 mg tube."

1 / 10
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12 Report
  • Bil...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 21, 2021

For Atopic Dermatitis "I suffered with itchy, red, flaking skin around my eyelids for years. I had always just used a moisturizer and cortisone to try and keep it in check. I was prescribed Elidel recently, and it works great. Initially, I could not stand the side effects: hot, burning, itching sensation after applying a small amount. I would also get a stuffy nose after use. Going into the shower seemed to aggravate the side effects even more, with a really hot feeling on my eyelids. HOWEVER, after just a couple days' usage, my eyelids cleared up. Now, I only need to use it for flare-ups. Also, the side effects don’t seem as bad now in subsequent uses… maybe the body adjusts to the med. Very happy with the results of this med."

9 / 10
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3 Report
  • Ang...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 13, 2022

For Atopic Dermatitis "I was prescribed this medicine by my doctor. After a year of taking this, it caused my hands to be disfigured, discolored, burning, itchy, bleeding, scaly, autoimmune issues, split, cracked, oozing, edema, numbness, tingling, red, patchy, asthma, respiratory issues, tiredness, extreme exhaustion, infections, headaches, and large golf ball-sized lymph nodes. I'm seeking a lawyer because I'm disabled from this sham of a medication! It is very dangerous, and y'all better stop taking it!"

1 / 10
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3 Report
  • Hig...
  • March 3, 2016

For Atopic Dermatitis "Dermatologist prescribed Elidel for facial itching, burning, redness plus swelling, dryness, cold sore, especially serious scaling around the mouth & on lips. I have had all kinds of skin cancer on my face, legs & chest, plus a melanoma on my thigh. When I read the side effects on your site & others, I chose not to use Elidel. It was too risky for me. I am an 81-yr-young female. Due to the extreme burning of most of my face, I rubbed it with ice cubes, which gave me awesome relief, enabled me to sleep without itching & scratching. Outbreak cleared up within 2 weeks."

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • Jen...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 28, 2022

"I have super sensitive skin and a history of rosacea. Since COVID and having to wear a mask, my skin has been angrier than ever. I get bumps around my lower face. Went to the derm, and she said to try Elidel. The first time I used it, it burned like crazy, so she told me to put it in the fridge...that didn't help. It continued to burn, and then on about day 6, I started noticing I was getting way more bumps and redness. Used it for a few more days thinking maybe it would eventually help before I realized the Elidel was actually causing the reaction. Within a few more days, my face was red, covered in bumps, swollen, burning, itching...it was agony. And it kept spreading to all parts of my face (because I would put the Elidel on the lower part of my face in the morning, then apply sunblock so it spread). I ended up having to take prednisone for 4 weeks. I don't know what I am allergic to in that stuff, but never touching it again."

1 / 10
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