Hello fellow strugglers!
I'm sharing my personal experience with a topical cream containing Tacrolimus, which I started using on my own after eczema symptoms had me at my wit's end.
Let me be clear: don't attempt this without a doctor's guidance!
I'm a pharmacist, so I'm aware of the risks – but I've also got a solid understanding of how medications interact, which helps me avoid nasty side effects.
Having successfully navigated medications for weight loss, depression, and now this cream for neurodermatitis, I'm really pleased with my choice.
I've been trying to tackle skin issues with hormonal treatments for years, but nothing's worked for me...
So, why don't I just go see a doctor?
I've had some pretty rough experiences with free healthcare.
From apathetic dentists to clueless GPs, I've encountered some real horror stories.
It's not just the specialists – even my local general practitioner seems to be in the dark about common medications.
Two times, I've caught them looking up treatments in a textbook while I'm sitting there, clearly stumped.
I've had it with wasting time on subpar medical care. During my pregnancy, they couldn't even figure out a decent hypertension treatment plan, and just last week, a surgeon couldn't recommend a decent back support belt for my back issues.
I've tried going to a good doctor, but it didn't help.
My skin issues are entirely stress-related. This is part of the complexity of treating them.
Since I can't eliminate the stress, I'm not allowed to (and it didn't help) take psychotropic meds, and peeling my skin to the bone isn't an option anymore.
I have a clean case of neurodermatitis in one area and hyperhidrosis in another.
Hyperhidrosis on my palms:
Neurodermatitis is causing me intense itching that's been driving me crazy day and night.
I've actually scratched myself to the point of bleeding and scabbing, and I've ripped off pieces of skin. I've had full-blown episodes….
And to make matters worse, it's all happening in a pretty sensitive area.
Hyperhidrosis isn't any better. It's been a problem for several years now. At least it's on my hands, not somewhere else.
Hyperhidrosis flare-upBlisters with liquid are popping up on my fingers and palms, and they're incredibly itchy. I scratch them, they burst, and I get inflammation and pain.
Then they heal, and my skin becomes rough, like a scab.
I have to admit, things started getting pretty intense.
That's just life, I guess.
But then the neurodermatitis kicked in, and boy, was it itchy.
It all started when my grandma got dementia a few years ago. I was really worried, to be honest.
And when she passed away, things only got worse.
I tried a bunch of creams with hormones, but they just masked the symptoms. And with the neurodermatitis, nothing seemed to work for the itch.
So, I decided to take a more serious approach. I was at my wit's end.
I ended up buying a cream with Tacrolimus. I've sold it in pharmacies before, so I knew it was a decent option.
It's a budget-friendly generic version of Protopic.
It costs around 500 rubles.
The cream's description is pretty serious business.
Tacrolimus belongs to the class of calcineurin inhibitors.
I've noticed that it interacts with a specific cytoplasmic protein, FKBP12, which is a cytosolic receptor for calcineurin (FK506). This forms a complex involving tacrolimus, FKBP12, calcium, calmodulin, and calcineurin, which leads to the inhibition of calcineurin's phosphatase activity. As a result, it becomes impossible to dephosphorylate and translocate the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT), which is necessary for initiating the transcription of genes coding for the production of key cytokines involved in the T-cell immune response (IL-2 and interferon-gamma).
Furthermore, tacrolimus inhibits the transcription of genes coding for the production of cytokines such as IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which are involved in the early stages of T-cell activation. Additionally, under the influence of tacrolimus, there is an inhibition of the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells, basophils, and eosinophils, as well as a decrease in the expression of FcεRI (a high-affinity surface receptor for IgE) on Langerhans cells, leading to a decrease in their activity and antigen presentation to T-cells.
The tacrolimus ointment does not affect collagen synthesis and, therefore, does not cause skin atrophy.
Box:
Information on the box:
The tube was almost empty:
I'll say it again: use the cream only as prescribed by your doctor!
Or, if you're aware of the risks.
There are plenty of side effects – even skin cancer!
Instructions:
Side effects, warnings, interactions with other meds – all that's covered here:
So, how did I use the cream?
I applied it thinly twice a day to my hands, where I have eczema, and in the groin area, where I have neurodermatitis.
At night and in the morning.
The cream isn't too greasy, and it absorbs quickly – no strong scent at all.
Don't overdo it with the amount!
Apply it to clean skin only, not on top of moisturizers.
So, what was the effect?...
About a day after starting to use Takro Pic, I felt the first itch.
The burning sensation started in the area where I applied the cream, especially when I took hot showers. It was like I had a burn!
I applied various soothing creams and waited it out.
The itch was just as bad as before for the first few days.
I also had some facial redness, possibly due to the cream, possibly not - I'm not entirely sure....
The burning sensation eventually subsided, and with it, the itch!
I noticed I wanted to scratch my skin a lot less! It was a miracle, pure magic! I've been dealing with this issue for over a year, and I've tried countless creams.
Takro Pic really helped. The itch went away, and within a couple of weeks, it was almost gone! I was over the moon with happiness.
But then another side effect popped up - Folliculitis...
I only realized what was going on when I sat down to write this review - I should've read the instructions more carefully!
In the bikini area, about a couple of weeks after using Takro Pic, I developed two painful bumps, and I rushed to the doctor.
The doctor told me they were ingrown hairs, and I needed to apply a Vishnevsky ointment bandage, wear it for as long as possible - the bumps would come to a head, and it would get better.
I did the same thing. I applied a bandage with aloe vera and waited. I temporarily stopped using Takro pic. My neurodermatitis started acting up again...
But after a day, the swelling went down, and the pain became much more manageable.
And within two to three days, it was almost gone.
Yay! I didn't have to go see a surgeon and get it cut open. If I hadn't put on the bandage, I was convinced it was just ingrown hairs. Now I realize it was a side effect of Takro pic.
That's a pretty serious cream, right?
Never have I had such unpleasant reactions to external products before....
So, what's the takeaway?
After a course of Takro pic, my neurodermatitis in the intimate area was gone! Yay!
Unfortunately, my hand eczema didn't clear up. I haven't gotten any better, actually. Although I did find a medical paper or article about treating eczema with creams containing Tacrolimus.
Maybe my case with my hands requires more serious, comprehensive treatment...
Takro pic is a strong medication with a lot of side effects, but it's effective.
It saved me from a really uncomfortable problem, and I'm grateful for that.
I'd definitely recommend it under a doctor's supervision!
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