[Tacrolimus--a new therapeutic option for Hailey-Hailey-disease?]

Hailey-Hailey disease is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Only symptomatic measures are available for long-term treatment. Topical tacrolimus has been shown to be effective in a number of inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic eczema and can be used over long periods of time because of its safety profile. We tested tacrolimus ointment in a patient who had problems with Hailey-Hailey disease for many years. After only five days of treatment with topical tacrolimus, improvement was apparent. After four weeks of treatment, the pain and erosions were significantly ameliorated. The efficacy of topical tacrolimus in Hailey-Hailey disease may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of the disorder.