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Pimecrolimus topical for Perioral Dermatitis User Reviews

Brand names: Elidel

Pimecrolimus topical has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 19 reviews for the off-label treatment of Perioral Dermatitis. 63% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.

Pimecrolimus topical rating summary

7.5/10 average rating

19 ratings from 20 user reviews.

Compare all 56 medications used in the treatment of Perioral Dermatitis.

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11%
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5%
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5%
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11%
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Reviews for Pimecrolimus topical

  • Cate
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 25, 2021

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "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) in 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 rest of story)."

10 / 10
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49 Report
  • AGano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 19, 2019

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "This cream worked so well to clear my Perioral Dermatits. I saw my symptoms reduce after 2 days, and in one week my symptoms were almost all gone. I would recommend this cream for anyone who was trying to get rid of their Perioral Dermatits without taking antibiotics."

9 / 10
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41 Report
  • CRano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 17, 2021

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "I was using Elidel for a little bit more than 6 weeks. It worked perfectly and my POD (Perioral Dermatitis) was gone. So as recommended, I reduced the use of it. At first once a day, then every second day until I wasn't using it anymore. And it did not take so long I've started suffering from a rebound effect. My skin was withdrawing! So if you really want to know how Elidel works, please focus only on the reports of people who stopped using the cream and tell you about their experiences after they stopped using this medication for a while."

2 / 10
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30 Report
  • Dave
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 17, 2020

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "After suffering from red, dry skin on and around my nose, cheeks and forehead for 5 years, I visited my GP. He prescribed a mild steroid which had no effect. Eventually I paid to see a private dermatologist. He prescribed me with a moderate steroid cream to use for a week and Elidel cream for 6 weeks. I am now on the 6th week of Elidel. The steroid cream reduced the redness and got rid of the dryness. Around 5 days after coming off the steroid cream, my skin got dry again despite using the elidel. It was nowhere near as bad as before though. So it appears that the Elidel cream is working to keep the redness away and stop much of the dryness from returning. The only side effects I have from it is slightly stingy eyes after putting it on (I keep it away from my eyes) I will provide an update as to how my skin fares when my course of Elidel finishes."

8 / 10
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29 Report
  • Snowf...
  • December 14, 2019

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "Had so many issues with dermatitis for months, tried so many different medications and then found this cream Elidel and solved it within a week! As soon as I feel a flare up I use the cream and it prevents it from getting worse, can’t fault!"

10 / 10
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30 Report

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  • 25...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 21, 2018

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "At 25, I’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer from both rosacea, perioral dermatitis, and chronic hives. Elidel is the only medication that has been able to help all three. It does not aggravate my very sensitive and reactive skin either. It works fast. I reach for it as soon as I feel any kind of flare. I was scared at first about using too often because of the black box warning. However, my allergist and derm both confirmed that it’s actually VERY safe. Beware though: Can cause some premature ageing when used on face :/ But besides that, wonderful topical!"

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31 Report
  • Rach
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 14, 2018

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "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 6mths, her skin looks normal again. I’m so impressed! It was subsidised 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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31 Report
  • LCRN
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 17, 2016

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "I have a lot of skincare allergies that manifest as perioral dermatitis. For years it cleared up after stopping use of what was triggering it. Two years ago it became chronic and not a day went by that I didn't have at least one or two of those annoying bumps, but often more like 10-20 and persistent redness. After being misdiagnosed as folliculitis and rosacea, I found a derm that got it right and was prescribed Elidel because I had already tried and had no success with all of the typical treatments. Elidel was able to completely clear up the rash in less than a week and has continued to keep me clear for weeks now. I did experience a mild warming feeling that went away after a few applications. So happy to finally have some relief."

10 / 10
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27 Report
  • Linda
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 12, 2020

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "I have used Elidel for 6 months for perioral dermatitis. As soon as I stop, I get red patches with burning bumps. Before that I used Fucidin, but that just made all the symptoms worse. After that Rozex which was drying my skin too much and then used Elidel. At first it seemed to be helping but not anymore. I am on my first week of 30 day antibiotics cure, sill no results, but I guess it's too early to see anyway."

3 / 10
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13 Report
  • belle
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 23, 2024

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "I have struggled with POD since coming off of Accutane 1.5 years ago. I have tried a few treatments, and they have always helped with the pain but never really helped with aesthetics. It sometimes goes away on its own but it always ends up coming back with a vengeance. My dermatologist prescribed me Elidel 1 month ago, and oh my God, it is the best thing on this earth. It burnt for a good few hours when I first applied it, but nothing unbearable. It has completely cleared up my POD, and I am seeing my face properly for the first time in years. Definitely, definitely recommend."

10 / 10
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1 Report
  • bosto...
  • May 21, 2021

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "MAGIC for me.... A few weeks back I noticed a red itchy rash, small raised bumps that would burn with any topical I put on it. It spread around my forehead, chin, jaw, cheeks. The bumps were not clogged pores, more itchy, inflamed, blistery, flesh-colored with redness in the area. I was having an allergic reaction to recently switching to fluoride toothpaste (mask-wearing exacerbated the issue). I stopped using the paste immediately and saw some clearing up occur except for in very stubborn areas that kept flaring. My derm was amazing and diagnosed this as PD and prescribed Elidel. Within 4 days of using this 2 x a day, my symptoms had completely cleared. Stay away from the sun and drinks!! Each person is different, depending on what your situation is, if you know your triggers and have eliminated them, this may be an answer to help clear your skin and returning it to calm fast."

10 / 10
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5 Report
  • Steve...
  • July 1, 2016

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "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 60mg tube."

1 / 10
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10 Report
  • Shakila
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 3, 2022

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "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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3 Report
  • Space...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 24, 2021

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "It seemed to be working and reduced the redness and bumps of POD in a couple days. I was having extremely congested ears and noticed that is a side effect of this drug. I discontinued use of it and it went away. I tried using it again and the same thing happened - ear congestion. I guess I can’t use it because of side effects."

3 / 10
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2 Report
  • Sarah
  • June 26, 2020

"The second time I had the flare up around my mouth, I was using a face wash with bubbles (never use anything with bubbles) and I at a last ditch effort tried to see a dermatologist hoping this time it wouldn't make it worse. (the first time I suffered for a year trying new things the derm gave me) I was prescribed Pimecrolimus and after 2 days the itchy rash was already looking better. After 1 week it was almost completely gone and I was left with clear smooth skin! I tried a mask that had a sulfate in it and I started to break out again and this cream has saved me once again! Thank goodness for this. I use Simple Micellar Water, rose water to moisturize with no flare ups unless I try something new. This cream is a lifesaver."

10 / 10
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  • Alll
  • June 30, 2016

"In UK. Began getting redness and flaky skin on my face a few years back. Tried all the topical steroids which just had no effect. It came and went, each time coming back affecting a new part of the face. Saw a dermatologist, he subscribed Elidel... I haven't looked back. A tube costs about "

9 / 10
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2 Report
  • Csdnil
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 13, 2017

"I've treated my lupus (scale with periodic discoid patches) with clobetasol + plaquenil + occasionally prednisone. As a last-ditch effort to avoid another round of prednisone, I tried Elidel. The first time I put it on my skin, I thought, "This feels so good," but didn't want to get my hopes up. Within 48 hours, my stubborn flared-up skin that had been unfazed by clobetasol was transformed. I started googling this miracle drug Elidel and came across this site. I so hope this cream helps others with lupus."

10 / 10
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1 Report
  • SarinaS
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 25, 2023

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "Elidel definitely helps for perioral dermatitis. If I use it twice a day, it will usually fully clear the rash within 8-10 days or so. However, there is a random side effect that I experienced - I got super bloated - it was so uncomfortable! This happened both times I used it, so I know it was not anything else. Once I stopped using the cream, the bloating reduced in 24 hours."

7 / 10
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  • Vanna
  • November 30, 2020

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "Used it for 6 days and it disappeared after a 4 month battle of perioral dermatitis. I’m gonna keep using the cream for another three days to ensure it doesn’t come back. This is the magic cream!"

10 / 10
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8 Report
  • kat
  • November 5, 2022

Elidel (pimecrolimus) "Elidel worked miracles during my first experience with POD 3 years ago but it has not been effective for my 2nd flare happening now."

5 / 10
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0 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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