Pimecrolimus topical and Burning: What Users Say

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2021

Pimecrolimus topical for Perioral Dermatitis "I started having weird skin issues by the end of 2017 after going to the spa a lot and getting facials. My skin became a real mess, and the redness that appeared would not go away. I took Accutane, and it cleared it up, but it came back after a bad exfoliation. At that point, it was not just the redness anymore. It became extremely painful. It was always sore, burning, swollen, I don't even know how to describe the pain. It put me in a deep depression. I could not care less about the look really anymore, but mostly about the pain. Being in chronic pain in your face for so long (lasted for almost 4 years) is unimaginable. I was prescribed Elidel by a doctor in 2018. I applied it once, and I wanted to cry from the burn it caused. I left it in a drawer. I recently had reached a point where I was thinking of suicide, and I could not handle one more day of pain anymore. This thing was affecting my entire life: work, relationships, life in general (see second comment for the rest of the story)."

• Ora...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2019

Pimecrolimus topical 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."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2012

Pimecrolimus topical for Eczema "I have found that this medicine does clear up my eczema temporarily. However, I find that I have a lot of burning sensations around my face-specifically, my eyes feel very, very warm when I'm using it."

• daw...
• June 16, 2017

Pimecrolimus topical for Eczema "A suggestion from my dermatologist when he prescribed this to me. Keep it refrigerated, he said it cuts down on the burning sensation when you first apply it. I did this, and so far, no problem with burning, and the medicine does seem to clear up the flaking and peeling on my eyelids and around my eyes."

• Day...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2017

Pimecrolimus topical for Atopic Dermatitis "I suffer from severe atopic dermatitis. I went to several dermatologists before they could figure out my condition. I tried several creams and ointments, but they all burned and made the skin red and swollen. Then it would all flake away and become inflamed again. In 5 days of using Elidel, my skin is clearer than it's been in months! It doesn't burn going on the skin (I keep it in the fridge), and it feels smooth going on. Definitely apply a moisturizer after application. Elidel has been a godsend!! I hope it works for everyone else. Elidel is very expensive."

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2017

Pimecrolimus topical for Atopic Dermatitis "Elidel, used in conjunction with applying Nizoral shampoo on my face for 7 minutes every day (as directed by my dermatologist - apply twice a week after 7 days), has almost completely cleared the dermatitis on my face and neck within a week. I now look normal and feel like I might finally have my life back again after years of struggling with steroid creams that eventually stopped working and, more recently, being off work and not leaving the house due to looking like a leper! No burning or stinging for me. Long may this phase continue."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2018

Pimecrolimus topical "I was given this medicine by my physician for less than a pea-size dry patch. It burned my skin severely, causing it to become discolored. It burned my skin, making it become more dry and cracked. Over the years, my symptoms have gotten progressively worse. I may have Crohn's now, and I get a bunch of swollen lymph nodes. My hands are now crippled, and I have to pry them apart. This cream has weakened my immune system as well. I am very weak at times. I feel helpless because I couldn't do things for my girls. I tried reaching the company, and all they had to say was... keep us informed. I sent pictures and everything. I reached back out to get no response."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2022

Pimecrolimus topical 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."

• ffe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2021

Pimecrolimus topical for Atopic Dermatitis "I am horrified by this cream. I developed a rash on my face all around my eyes from a paint allergy, and the doctor gave me this cream. I used it once lightly, and an hour later, my entire face was burning, and my eyes were watering non-stop. I woke up the next day, and my eyes were all swollen and irritated. Rash symptoms were gone, but my face was now red and swollen. The day after, my eyes were still swollen, and I can see a red mark on my face that outlines where I had put the cream. I look worse than when I actually had the rash. I am horrified that this is a genuine normal side effect of this cream. Please be careful, I will never, ever touch this stuff again."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2021

Pimecrolimus topical 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."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2021

Pimecrolimus topical 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."

• Hig...
• March 3, 2016

Pimecrolimus topical 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."

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 13, 2022

Pimecrolimus topical 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!"

• Abs...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 20, 2018

For Eczema "Been using cream since I was about 8 years old after other creams failed to work, and I had to see a specialist. I am now 18 and still using Elidel. My eczema flares up with stress, and Elidel keeps it under control during these times, the rest of the time, I use a moisturizer. I still have outbreaks but have found other ways to cope to keep my eczema at a moderate level. When I first started the cream, it had a burning sensation, but I no longer experience this."

• JPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2019

"Reluctant to try Elidel for psoriasis at first because of steep price and possible negative side effects; but after two days has cleared my once red and cracking skin on my face (Psoriasis). It does burn pretty bad, but after the first couple of applications, not as bad. Avoid going into the sun immediately following application. Planning to not use it once symptoms totally clear."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2022

Pimecrolimus topical "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."

• LLC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2024

Pimecrolimus topical for Perioral Dermatitis "I had sore and dry skin around the mouth, it had a stinging/burning feeling for 1.5 weeks and was painful to even drink or open my mouth. I learned it’s perioral dermatitis, and the doctor recommended Elidel. My skin improved, and the dryness was gone on the 3rd day of application."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2009

Pimecrolimus topical for Eczema "Seems to be clearing up the skin pretty fast so far, but it does burn. Anyway, I can deal with that, as long as it clears up the skin."

• wgr...
• July 18, 2011

For Atopic Dermatitis "Pimecrolimus seems to work, but I have to use it twice a day, which is okay. It burned for about the first 2 weeks (I have atopic dermatitis on my eyelids), but it does not burn anymore."