Does topical tacrolimus induce lentigines in children with atopic dermatitis? A report of three cases

Abstract

Three children with severe atopic dermatitis were noted at routine follow-up to have developed multiple small pigmented macules during long-term therapy with topical tacrolimus 0.1% (Protopic, Fujisawa). Representative lesions in two of the three cases were confirmed histologically as simple lentigines. The focal distribution of lentigines to sites of tacrolimus use, and the temporal association between use of tacrolimus and development of lesions, suggest that topical tacrolimus is of direct aetiological relevance to their development. Careful long-term follow-up will be required to assess the clinical implications of these findings and whether they represent an increase in risk for melanocytic neoplasia.