Background: Occupational hand dermatitis (OHD) is a common and often chronic condition. Usage of topical corticosteroids is limited in long‐term therapy because of potential side‐effects. New treatment options are highly appreciated.Objective: To study efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in patients suffering from OHD.Patients and Methods: In a prospective, open, multicentre study, 29 patients with OHD of predominantly mild‐to‐moderate severity were treated with tacrolimus ointment (Protopic® 0.1%) during a 4‐week active treatment period with twice daily application followed by a 2‐month optional treatment period. Efficacy was evaluated by the use of a standardized hand eczema score and by clinical severity rating, conducted on all study visits (screening, baseline and weeks 2, 4, 6, and 12). Adverse events were recorded for safety evaluation.Results: The hand eczema score declined significantly after 2 weeks of treatment compared with baseline and further declined until the end of the study. Finally, 12 (44%) patients were clear of hand eczema. Worsening of the dermatitis occurred in 2 patients (7%). Clinical grading indicated improvement too. Overall tolerability was good.Conclusion: Topical tacrolimus might be an efficacious treatment option for chronic OHD. Blinded and randomized controlled studies are necessary to confirm the results of this pilot study.

JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen GesellschaftVolume 1, Issue 12 p. 983-984 Multiple erythematöse Plaques mit langsamer Progredienz Multiple erythematous plaques with steady progression Jana Präßler, Jana Präßler Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaSearch for more papers by this authorDaniela Kelterer, Daniela Kelterer Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaSearch for more papers by this authorGerhard Schreiber, Gerhard Schreiber Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaSearch for more papers by this authorPeter Elsner, Peter Elsner Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaSearch for more papers by this author Jana Präßler, Jana Präßler Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaSearch for more papers by this authorDaniela Kelterer, Daniela Kelterer Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaSearch for more papers by this authorGerhard Schreiber, Gerhard Schreiber Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaSearch for more papers by this authorPeter Elsner, Peter Elsner Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 24 December 2003 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0353.2003.03041.x Korrespondenzanschrift: Jana Präßler Klinik für Dermatologie und dermatologische Allergologie der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Erfurter Straße 35 D-07740 Jena Tel.: +49-3 64 19-3 74 40 Fax: +49-3 64 19-3 74 30 E-mail: jana.praessler@derma.uni-jena.de\ AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume1, Issue12December 2003Pages 983-984 RelatedInformation

Objective. The objective of this controlled intervention study was to quantify the efficacy of skin protection (SP) measures and ultraviolet B (UVB) hardening in the prevention of hand dermatitis in bakers' apprentices. Method. SP measures were compared against UVB hardening in a controlled clinical trial of 94 apprentices. The apprentices were assigned to the intervention arms class-wise. Bakers' apprentices involved in a previous follow-up study served as additional controls representing no intervention. The apprentices were interviewed and examined in a standardised way at the beginning of the training and at 4 monthly follow-ups. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured at the back of the hands. Results. Demographic profile and atopy criteria were equally distributed in the two intervention arms and the control group. Point prevalence of hand dermatitis after 6 months was highest in the controls (29.1%) followed by the UVB (19.4%) and the SP group (13.3%). UVB hardening and SP measures reduced hand dermatitis prevalence by 9.7% (95%CI: –8.5 to 28.1) and 15.7% (95%CI: –2.4 to 33.9), respectively. Application of SP measures reduced the odds ratios (ORs) for hand dermatitis 0.8-fold (95%CI: 0.17–3.70) and 0.33-fold (95%CI: 0.09–1.23) compared with the UVB group and the controls, respectively. These clinical trends were confirmed by statistically significant differences in TEWL values. TEWL values were consistently higher in the UVB group than in the SP group ( P =0.002). Conclusions. This study provided evidence, based on significant differences in TEWL levels, that general SP measures may be more effective than UV light hardening of the skin, which in turn was more effective than no intervention. This trend was supported by the frequency of development of clinical hand dermatitis, although differences did not reach statistical significance. A multi-centre trial is recommended to confirm the efficacy of SP measures in a larger randomised study.

American Contact Dermatitis Society Annual Meeting Abstracts 11th Annual Meeting March 9, 2000 San Francisco, CA: Abstracts (24-46): PDF Only