Topical tacrolimus is a safe and effective treatment for inverse psoriasis in children

Abstract

Inverse psoriasis or psoriasis of the intertriginous areas is a common manifestation of this disease. In children, up to 13% of psoriatic patients are considered to have presented with psoriatic diaper rash with dissemination. The mainstay of treatment for inverse psoriasis remains topical corticosteroids. Well-documented potential side effects of long term use of corticosteroids include atrophy, telangiectasias and striae. Previous studies have shown systemic tacrolimus to be a useful agent in the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis. However, later attempts to prove efficacy for topical tacrolimus in chronic plaque-type psoriasis were unsuccessful. More recently, topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment has proved beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis involving the face and intertriginous areas in adults.