Protopic for Atopic Dermatitis User Reviews (Page 2)

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2020

"I have had severe eczema just above my upper lip for three years. It has been awful and painful, and I finally sought out a dermatologist after it started getting even worse recently. Protopic has changed my life! It did feel uncomfortably hot and itchy for the first few days, but it’s not bad at all - very bearable. I recommend not reading up on it and scaring yourself and just trying it because chances are you will feel very mild side effects."

• sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2018

"I was prescribed Protopic for contact dermatitis on my face. The pharmacist said it would burn a bit but subside, and eventually, after a few days, would not burn anymore. I was a little scared, so I tested it on a small patch and waited 5 minutes. Nothing happened, so I put the cream on all of my patches (50% of my face). Then, 30 minutes later, the intense burn started. After 30 minutes of intense burning, I rinsed the cream off with cold water. But the burning sensation remained. I ended up putting ice on my face for 5 hours until I could tolerate a wet towel to go to sleep. I almost went to the hospital, the burn was so intense. I woke up 2 hours later and removed the wet towel, and I was no longer burning, but my skin was emitting a lot of heat. I slept 2 more hours with minimal clothing and sheets and woke up to normal skin. Some of my rashes are 50% better after that one application, but I am NEVER putting that cream on again. I’d rather itch."

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2023

"I had eczema on the back of my neck and around my eyes/on my forehead for years. The only thing I could use to control it was steroid creams until I was given Protopic. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this cream. The first night I used it, I was itching all night and felt a slight burning sensation, however, the second time I used it, I felt no side effects at all, and my skin had improved 90%. I continued to use it for a week, and my eczema had gone completely for what felt like the first time in my life. I now use it once a week to prevent flare-ups. You must give this a try!"

• ato...
• February 28, 2013

"I started using Protopic on Dec. 1st and alternating it with Desoximetasone per my doctor's orders. At first, the dermatitis cleared up on my hands (that would crack and bleed, and then the skin would get hard and peel off, and once it peeled off, the new skin was very tender and there was a lot of pain. Once I started using Protopic-the condition seemed to clear up 90% but never 100%-well, here it is Feb. 28th, and I have spent the entire week since Sunday in bed. I have every side effect listed-my hands itch like crazy, have a headache (worst I have ever had), my flu-like symptoms are the chills, runny nose (have gone through 2 boxes of Kleenex), sore throat. Hurts to swallow, muscle pains. Absolutely no energy/unusual tiredness."

• lif...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2024

"A 45-year-old woman who has chronic eczema flares on my face, neck, and eyes worsening with perimenopause. I have used steroid cream historically on my body, but not on my face. I developed steroid-induced acne rosacea, followed by daily flares. Eventually, I was referred to a dermatologist who prescribed Protopic 0.03% to use daily on my face and neck. Having read reviews, I expected to be in agony, but apart from a slight flushing (nothing like the pain of a flare), within days my flares had subsided. I'm 6 weeks into using it and my life has changed for the better. I can now wear makeup that I never used to, even some perfumes. My skin looks clearer - I've never seen it so well-controlled. I hope this works for you because I've tried everything before this, including 3 months on antibiotics (oxytetracycline, lymecycline), which made me itch all over. I used to take antihistamines (fexofenadine) daily, so that I couldn't prevent flares. Now, I don't need to take them."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2018

"My experience was similar to those described on this blog: I had a severe patch of AD on my elbow and behind my knee. Day 1, initial application did result in a burning sensation and intense itchiness at times, which in my case lasted 24 hours or so. I strongly recommend persisting with the product past this difficult first phase because these irritating side effects subside soon after. Cold compresses, by the way, definitely help with the itch. By the end of Day 2, I started to see a significant difference/clearing in the affected areas, and by the end of Day 4, my AD was almost completely healed. This drug is an absolute godsend and an amazing medical innovation. The only con is the greasiness of the ointment, but it is a small price to pay for relief from this chronic and often debilitating skin condition."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2018

"This is a miracle drug! I have seen 10 doctors (4 specialties), and no one could help with 15+ creams and oral meds. Finally, a new allergist prescribed Protopic with triamcinolone cream combined. It burned like hell for 1-2 days, then that resolved along with this horrible skin condition I have dealt with for about 8 months! I’ve been on it 8 days. I’m thinking I can maybe taper down to a few times a week now. This has changed my life back to the way it was before the rash."

• Ao1...
• December 5, 2017

"I tried everything for my eczema, it started around my eyes, then spread to my face and neck. I really didn’t want to use medications, so I tried various diets, cleanses, acupuncture, and vitamins. I suffered for a whole year and spent thousands of dollars on other treatments. Finally, I gave in and went to the derm. He gave me Protopic. The first time I used it, it burned like hell, but I kept it on anyhow. After two applications, my eczema has cleared! It’s been two months, and I’ve only had to use it 2 or 3 times as maintenance, and I have clear skin. It works!"

• 123...
• April 26, 2016

"First time I used it on a single small white spot of my vitiligo. After an hour or two, every part of my body started itching, had tingling sensations, skin got super red, and hives appeared everywhere. Never again. Can't wait for the side effects to go away."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2016

"Used this for my eczema around my mouth, instant regret as soon as I applied it. Washed it off immediately, but it continued to burn for 3 days. It was red in that area for a few days too. In the shower, and every time I breathed out of my nose, the heat seemed to ignite the burning. It was torture!"

• Juk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2018

"Miracle! Struggled with swollen, itchy eyes for over a month. Miserable! I would come home and use cold cloths on my eyes most nights. One application. I could feel a difference, and the next day I felt human, and it was so much better. Yes, it burned at the start, which lasted about 1/2 hour, but considering what I had been dealing with, no big deal. The next day, you do get a warm sensation, but it was odd, not uncomfortable. Truly a godsend!"

• bny...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2020

"I had some eczema on my ears, eyelids, neck, and forehead that I didn't want to use steroids on. So I asked my doctor for a Protopic script. My insurance wouldn't approve it, so I said whatever and paid $150 for a 60 gram tube. I'm so glad I did, as this is some great stuff and a little goes a long way. I experienced what a lot of the other reviewers did: burning and itching upon the first applications. For me personally, the itching/burning lasted a night (8 hours), it wasn't enough discomfort to make me stop using it, though I can see it being an issue for someone with really sensitive skin. After that, it cleared my face up very quickly-2 to 3 days. TIP: If you're gonna use it on multiple spots, just start on one or two and then add in extra spots as you get used to it. This way, you're not getting itchy all over at once."

• Anonymous
• July 27, 2011

"Protopic ointment was fantastic for me, a lifelong sufferer of atopic dermatitis. After applying a very thin amount on the affected areas of my skin, once a day for a few days, the rash began to clear and continued to get better without further applications. To my surprise, the rash then popped up in new areas to a limited extent, but after one or two applications of Protopic on these new places, they disappeared also. I soon got rid of all the areas of atopic dermatitis. My friends couldn't believe it! They wanted some to make their skin as lovely as mine (though of course that wouldn't work because they didn't have the same problem). However, if it doesn't work for you, stop using it. Individual response may vary."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2010

"I've used several different prescription creams for my eczema. I have continuous outbreaks under my eyebrow and below my eye, near my mouth, my arms, and occasionally outbreaks everywhere else. Protopic is the only cream that has worked so far, but it was extremely greasy, so I only used it at night (or I covered it). It only provided temporary relief (a cycle of relief, then misery), and it caused keratosis throughout my entire eyebrow. I had my eyebrows tattooed over 10 years ago. I have only used Protopic for a couple of years now, and we believe the cream reacted to the ink in my skin by growing keratosis."

• nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 13, 2020

"Cleared my eczema 'moustache' that I've been battling for years in only a few days. I couldn't believe it. Also got rid of eczema under my eyes in the same time period. It was unbelievable. No burning. I used it on my hands when they got bad and on the inside of my elbow. Using it in the elbow caused it to feel unbearably hot when water touched the area in the shower, however, I only used it for a week, and it cleared the eczema there. Been clear for months. I will continue using this stuff, it's been a godsend for me."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2019

"After months of trying many different steroid creams prescribed by my doctor, a dermatologist prescribed Protopic. Absolute miracle ointment. After two uses, my skin had cleared up amazingly. I suffered bad for the last year with psoriasis on my face. I couldn’t cover with makeup as it didn’t react well and just looked a mess. This has honestly changed my life, and you would never know I even had psoriasis after just two weeks of applying. I was lucky and didn’t experience any uncomfortable side effects that many people mention, such as burning. My face did feel warm during the first 24 hours, but nothing that was uncomfortable. Absolutely amazing stuff."

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2020

"This definitely works, but you must stick with it! When I first put it on my skin (face and neck only), it felt extremely hot and very, VERY itchy. I thought I was having an allergic reaction to it and/or my skin flare-up was getting worse. After several hours, the itching dissipated and my skin just felt hot in the worst affected areas - this wasn’t too bad at all. The redness also cleared up and my skin started looking totally normal (as if I didn’t have eczema). Pretty amazing result."

• Jen...
• November 22, 2019

"Do NOT use this around your eyes from a flare from Dupixent (Dupixent-induced eczema around the eyes). Burns like hellfire!! It started burning about an hour after I put it on and hasn’t stopped. A day later!!!! Not a good medicine for eczema with Dupixent, in my opinion."

• Tas...
• January 23, 2018

"Using this cream makes my skin as smooth as a baby’s bum. It honestly does work on my eczema, however, I only use it on my face, as I cannot stand the burning sensation. It’s greasy, and so I only use it at night, but the burning hot sensation is not pleasant on the first application. This is why I won’t use it on my arms and legs, as I cannot stand feeling this way. It robs me of my sleep on the first night of application, however, on the second and third day, the burning sensation seems to subside. I tend to spend most of the night sticking my head out of the window to try and catch some cold air. It’s just awful, but it actually works, which is why I persevere."

• not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2023

"I am a 27-year-old male who suffers from atopic dermatitis. I was prescribed Protopic by my dermatologist to use daily for 2 weeks. The rash on my forehead has worsened, and my face is still red, and my skin is flaky. This has not worked for me."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

"The first time I used this, I only put it around my nose and down to my lip. It burned so bad immediately. I cleaned it off after an hour as the heat and the burning were bad. Even after this, it burned all night, I had to have a fan blowing on me, but that didn't help much. My whole face (not just the area I put it on) burned for over 24 hours, even after washing multiple times. A month later, I tried it again after my skin had calmed a bit, and this time was much better. I didn't get the same burning, just a slight heat from it. Another side effect I've had is that when the room I'm in gets warmer, my whole face burns and gets very red, this lasts for hours. I've been using this for a month now, but I've seen very little improvement with my skin. It's still sore, tight, and burns and itches."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2020

"I started using this cream on my hands a couple of weeks ago, almost immediately, my hands started burning, but I put it down to the dermatitis. After a few days, there was improvement on my hands, so I carried on using it once a day. Last weekend, I drank wine, and my goodness, my face and neck started burning and went really red. I never correlated it to the cream, I just thought I'd developed an allergy to the wine. That evening, my whole body started tingling, it was quite scary. Still didn't think it could have been the cream, so I carried on using it once a day. The tingling carried on all week, it was driving me to despair. Yesterday, I read the patient leaflet, and to my horror, the common side effects are the ones I was suffering from. I do have sensitive skin, so maybe that's why I reacted so badly. I didn't use the cream last night, still tingling skin today, but not as bad. Hopefully, it will be out of my system soon. My advice is don't use this cream if you have sensitive skin."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2020

"Patches, newer outbreak of atopic dermatitis not going away with desonide cream. Nasty breakout on right bicep and contact with that side of my body. You can feel and see heavy blotchy lines. Tried Protopic ointment this evening for the first time (Day 1), and yes, I experienced the initial painful itching and burning experienced by so many. I put ice in a baggie directly on the affected areas and instant relief, although it probably dilutes the Protopic strength. I keep on icing as needed. I will do as so many of you recommend and hang in with it for a spell. I'm thinking twice a day until cleared. Thanks so much. I will report back on progress soon."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2017

"Developed eczema on my eyelids and hairline around my face. Itchy, red, and burning for a few months, flare-ups were painful. Dr. prescribed cortisone, but it was only temporary help. I did not apply lots. Then dermatologist prescribed Protopic. Yes, it burned for the first 72 hrs, but it subsided, and I was completely healed within a week! Such a relief. I only apply when I feel like a flare-up is starting. Great for preventing."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2018

"This product. -_- I've had eczema for as long as I can remember, and now it's started to spread to new areas. The dermatologist prescribed this to use around the face and neck as it's not a steroid. I was aware that it initially burns the first few times...almost to the point of rather dealing with eczema over the burning. I've used it a handful of times now, as and when. It does soften the thick buildup. However, after applying, the skin is very sensitive to itching. Well...last night I itched my neck 2 hours after applying this...DO NOT DO THIS. I never knew 'burning' had levels 10 times worse than experienced. Had to scrub the area and apply a wet flannel for a good hour to calm it down. It may work, just not for the faint-hearted."