PEM PEARLS

Fingertip units for topical steroids in eczema

Eczema in kids is really common, particularly in infants under the age of 2 where the prevalence can be as high as 20% (ASCIA 2019).  Topical steroids are commonly prescribed for acute flares, but just how much should we be advising parents to apply?

The concept of the fingertip unit was developed in the early 1990s and describes a convenient way to measure the appropriate amount of cream to use.

​It refers to the amount of cream that, when squeeze from the tube, extends from the finger tip to the distal interphalangeal joint (first finger crease). When applied to the skin, this should cover an area the size of 2 hands (with fingers together). 

This is demonstrated in a great handout from the Australian Medicines Handbook which can be found here.

Dr Danielle Scarfe