Eczema cream- how much is enough
It is important that you use the right amount of ointment or cream that your doctor has prescribed to manage your eczema
The fingertip unit or FTU is an easy way to remember how much of your ointment or cream to use.
A fingertip unit is the amount of ointment or cream squeezed from the tube from the first bend in finger to the finger tip, as shown in the picture below.
This will cover an area equal to two adult hands. You will need to apply more ointment or cream to larger areas of your body.
Think of the fingertip unit as one ‘dose’- just like a dose of medicine.
Your doctor will circle the number of fingertip units required, in the table below for each part of your body, where you need to apply your ointment or cream.
Age / Face & Neck / Arm & Hand / Leg & Foot / Chest & Abdomen / Back & Buttocks3-12 mo / 1 / 1 / 1.5 / 1 / 1.5
1-3 y / 1.5 / 1.5 / 2 / 2 / 3
3-5 y / 1.5 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 3.5
6-10 y / 2 / 2.5 / 4.5 / 3.5 / 5
>10 y / 2.5 / 4 / 8 / 7 / 7
Keep moisturizing the skin! It is best to apply moisturizer a short time (ideally around 10 minutes) after the corticosteroid cream or ointment has been applied.
Scarring results from under treatment of eczema and trauma to the skin from scratching.