Topical calcineurin inhibitors in the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition characterized by erythema,scaling and pruritus with a predilection for areas rich in sebaceous glands. It affects patients' quality of life to an extent. Since it is a chronic and recurrent disease, there is a strong need for safe alternatives for its longterm management. In the past, antifungals, topical corticosteroids and keratolytics were the mainstay of its therapy. Now topical calcineurin inhibitors provide a safe alternative treatment for it. It has been demonstrated that such calcineurin inhibitors as pimecrolimus and tacrolimus are effective and safe in the treatment of facialseborrheic dermatitis. Key words: Dermatitis,seborrheic;  Tacrolimus;  Pimecrolimus