Tacrolimus ointment, a topical inhibitor of the phosphatase calcineurin, has recently been approved in the United States for use in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. It is the first topical immune suppressant that is not one of the hydrocortisone derivatives, important allies in dermatology for nearly 50 years. Although tacrolimus is less able to penetrate thick skin than glucocorticoids, it ...

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), commercially available since 2000-2001, are the first and only topical medications approved for chronic treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in pediatric patients and remain a welcomed alternative to topical corticosteroids. In January 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a boxed warning requirement based on a theoretical risk of malignanc...

Benign chronic familial pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey disease) is a rare autosomal dominant blistering skin disorder characterized by suprabasal cell separation (acantholysis) of the epidermis. The Hailey brothers first described it in 1939. Hailey-Hailey disease usually appears in the third or fourth decade, although it can occur at any age. Heat, sweating and friction often exacerbates the disease...

After the publication of the article, a group of readers raised concerns about several aspects of the methodology for the metaanalysis and the interpretation of the results (http://www.plosone. org/article/comments/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone. 0093095). Upon follow-up with the authors and consultation with editorial board members, the following concerns have been identified: * The inter...

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial chronic remittent skin disease which requires long-term treatment. Pimecrolimus cream 1% is a nonsteroid selective inhibitor of inflammatory cytokines and effective in the treatment of AD. Various clinical trials have shown its long-term safety and efficacy in pediatric and adult patients suffering from mild to moderate AD. In this article we discuss d...