Abstract
Background: Topical steroid-sparing agents (SSA), such as tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, and crisaborole, represent an important therapeutic option in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis. While these agents lack the common side effects associated with topical corticosteroids, they all share application site pain as an important adverse effect. Summary: Based on the available evidence and our experience, we suggest the following 7 practical strategies for decreasing the pain associated with SSA use. (1) Use a topical corticosteroid for a few days to reduce inflammation before starting the SSA treatment. (2) Use SSAs strategically. (3) Apply moisturizer before applying SSAs. (4) Store moisturizers in the refrigerator. (5) Ask the patient to apply the SSA on a small test area before broader application. (6) Apply the SSA on dry rather than on damp skin. (7) Consider using aspirin when appropriate for the patient.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 477-480 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Dermatology |
Volume | 236 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2020 |
Funding
P.A.L. reports research grants/funding from the National Eczema Association, Regeneron/Sanofi Genzyme, and AbbVie; is on the speaker’s bureau for Regeneron/Sanofi Genzyme, Pfizer, and L’Oreal; and reports consulting/advisory boards for UCB, Der-mavant, Regeneron/Sanofi Genzyme, Dermira, Pfizer, LEO Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie, Kiniksa, Eli Lilly, Micreos, La Roche Po-say/L’Oreal, Pierre-Fabre, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, Menlo Therapeutics, Theraplex, IntraDerm, Exeltis, AOBiome, Realm Therapeutics, Franklin Bioscience/Altus Labs, Verrica, TopMD, Arbonne, Amyris, and Burt’s Bees. V.Y.S. is a stock shareholder of Learn Health, and has served as an advisory board member, investigator, and/or received research funding from Sanofi Genzyme/ Regeneron, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Novartis, SUN Pharma, LEO Pharma, Pfizer, Menlo Therapeutics, Burt’s Bees, GpSkin, the National Eczema Association, Global Parents for Eczema Research, the Foundation for Atopic Dermatitis, and Skin Actives Scientific. There were no incentives or transactions, financial or otherwise, relevant to this manuscript. S.M. and K.N.P. have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Keywords
- Inflammatory dermatoses
- Pain
- Topical nonsteroidal agents
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology