protopic or elidel?

[wildseal2003]

whats the difference between the two? i know protopic is oily and elidel is a cream but is there any other difference?i plan on using it on my face for eczema. is one better than the other for the face?

[Dapper]

Protopic is an ointment, while elidel is a cream.  As a practical matter this means that the protopic is more thoroughly absorbed by your skin, and also has a coincidental moisturizing effect, but it's also messier.  Protopic used to keep my skin under control before I developed an allergy to petrolatum, but now I use elidel and find it still helpful but much less than the protpic was.  You could try elidel, since it is a cream it is not as messy and more pleasant to have on your skin.  If that is not helping enough, then try the protopic.

I don't think either one is better for your face, but the elidel is cosmetically better, it won't make your face look greasy heh.

[itchychick]

They are also different chemical formulations.  I haven't tried Elidel, but my sister, who is a dermatologist, has told me that Protopic seems to be more effective for most of her patients.