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Review
. 2021 Jul;34(4):e15016.
doi: 10.1111/dth.15016. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Topical beta-blockers in dermatologic therapy

Angela Filoni  1   2 , Francesca Ambrogio  1 , Aurora De Marco  1 , Alessia Pacifico  3 , Domenico Bonamonte  1
Affiliations
Review

Topical beta-blockers in dermatologic therapy

Angela Filoni et al. Dermatol Ther. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

An increasing use of beta-blockers in dermatology has been described over the last 10 years, despite the fact that their use in diseases other than infantile hemangiomas is off-label. This review discusses the emerging role of topical beta-blockers in the treatment of infantile hemangioma, but also pyogenic granuloma, Kaposi sarcoma, wounds and nail paronychia. Data in literature demonstrate that topical beta-blockers are a safe and valid therapeutic option in numerous cutaneous diseases. Side effects are mainly restricted to the application site. Further studies and randomized trials may contribute to reinforce the role of topical beta-blockers in the dermatological armamentarium.

Keywords: Kaposi; beta-blockers; hemangiomas/vascular tumors; paronychia; therapy-topical; wounds.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Superficial infantile hemangioma of the leg of a 4 months‐old baby. Before treatment (A) and after 9 months of treatment (B) with propranolol 1% in petrolatum cream. (Parents signed consent form for publication of clinical picture)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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