Tacrolimus topical and Stinging: What Users Say

• Gle...
• July 31, 2016

Tacrolimus topical for Atopic Dermatitis "Protopic has been awesome for my face and hands. My dermatitis started in my teens and left me with weepy, bleeding scales on my knuckles, upper lip, nose, eyebrows, and eyelids. Protopic wasn't around, and I used Westcort cream, along with many stronger topical steroids. Flash forward to today. My skin is extremely thin all over my face, but thankfully no cataracts (applied steroids everywhere). Is Protopic a miracle drug? No, but it's the only thing available to stop my AD on the face. First application causes a stinging, burning, hot sensation. After you get past that first day, my symptoms go away. I continue applying until the skin has healed. Then, I stop it. When the eczema starts coming back, I start applying it again."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

Tacrolimus topical for Atopic Dermatitis "After 5/6 trips to my local GP and getting nowhere with my skin, it was time to cave in and see a specialist, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. After suffering with eczema and acne all on my face for 2 years now, within 2 days of using this cream, it’s cleared up remarkably. Now I can’t lie, and I will say the first few times it stings and burns your face like anything, but the results are insane. This cream really is a miracle, and I’m smiling for the first time in years as I can finally see progress in my face. Again, the only downsides are the price and the agony you’ll go through for the first few uses, but I beg you to see through it because you will not be disappointed."

• tac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2024

For Atopic Dermatitis "I developed contact dermatitis because of an allergy to cosmetics. The doctor prescribed tacrolimus 0.03% and some antihistamine tablets. I used tacrolimus for 1 week. Initially, when I applied it, it really stung, the area felt hot, red, and itchy. I couldn't sleep well. But I kept on using it. After 4 days, my skin was soft, clear, and it was moisturized. It was greasy as hell. But it also moisturizes your skin because it has a kind of thick Vaseline texture. Please start with a low concentration of 0.03 to minimize side effects."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2022

For Atopic Dermatitis "Eczema has met its match. I was born with the stuff and used topical cortisone products my entire life with poor results. Finally, I tried Dupixent, and it cleared my skin up nicely but caused horrible conjunctivitis. It felt like it took all that eczema and shoved it into my eyes. I finally had to go off the Dupixent, and my dermatologist referred me to an allergist who prescribed tacrolimus. I got it just as my eyes were getting better and the rest of my body getting worse. I cannot believe how effective the tacrolimus ointment is. Yes, if you apply it to inflamed eczema, it will itch and sting, and I keep a supply of lidocaine cream for this, but it has cleared up very stubborn eczema very quickly, and where I have used it, no eczema has returned so far. I hope it keeps working. No, it is not a cure, but probably as close to a cure as you can get right now."

• Sul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2022

For Atopic Dermatitis "If you want to know what it feels like to pour ghost pepper juice in your eyes while swimming in lava, then this ointment is for you! Within 10 mins of my first application, I instantly felt ill to my stomach. Now, cue hell’s fiery wrath. The most unbearable burning/stinging/itching all over me. I would rather lay my face on a hot burner than experience this ever again. Encore anyone? Vomiting and back pain joined the party. 3 hrs after applying this on my skin, and I feel, well, exactly the same. The doc who prescribed this volcano lube to me never informed me this would be an option. Guess he was having a bad day. Either way, everyone has different effects, but I assure you, after nearly 20 years of battling my chronic/severe eczema, I truly would rather suffer with that than wait for these horrific side effects to subside."

• Leo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2022

Tacrolimus topical for Atopic Dermatitis "I used it, and it started to sting and made me feel a little bit dopey, but the next day it really helped."