A Case of Chronic Actinic Dermatitis Treated with 0.03% Topical Tacrolimus

Chronic actinic dermatitis is an idiopathic photodermatoses presenting as severe persistent eczematous skin eruptions on sun-exposed skin, with an enormous itching sensation. The treatment includes photoprotective measurements, topical or systemic corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents. However, occasionally, the condition is resistant to these therapies and results in a significant disabling of the involved individuals. We tried 0.03% topical tacrolimus ointment on a chronic actinic dermatitis patient who had previously been treated with conventional steroid therapy with no improvement. Two weeks after application of the topical tacrolimus ointment, the itching sensation was significantly improved and in 4 weeks, the skin lesions began to improved with no other side effects.