Annular Erythema Responding to Tacrolimus Ointment

Annular erythema is an unusual, often idiopathic disorder that tends to respond poorly to topical therapy.

Two patients with idiopathic, topical corticosteroid-resistant annular erythema showed prompt clearing of lesions treated with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment and persistence of untreated ones which themselves responded to subsequent treatment.

These two cases demonstrate a clear-cut therapeutic response of chronic, topical corticosteroid-resistant annular erythema to topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1% BID. Additional experience with tacrolimus ointment, hopefully in controlled circumstances, should clarify its potential value in treating annular erythema.