First: steroids used well are still fine
Non-steroid doesn't mean ‘better’ — used appropriately, topical steroids are effective and have a reassuring safety record (see our honest look at steroid fear). Non-steroid options are simply additional tools — useful for delicate areas, for children who can't use steroids well, or as part of a plan to reduce steroid use. Your doctor decides what fits.
Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs)
Tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel) are prescription non-steroid creams/ointments that calm the skin's immune overreaction without thinning the skin — which makes them especially useful on sensitive areas like the face and eyelids and for longer-term or maintenance use. Approvals vary by age and strength (for example, tacrolimus 0.03% and pimecrolimus are used in young children per label), so the specifics are your doctor's call.
Crisaborole and newer non-steroids
- Crisaborole (Eucrisa) — a non-steroid ointment (a PDE4 inhibitor) for mild-to-moderate eczema, approved down to infancy in the US.
- Newer topicals (such as roflumilast cream, approved 2024 for mild-to-moderate AD) continue to expand the non-steroid toolbox — your dermatologist will know the current, age-appropriate options.
(For severe eczema that creams can't control, there are also systemic options — see beyond creams.)
Good questions for your doctor
- "Is a non-steroid option right for my child — or for certain areas like the face?"Delicate skin is where TCIs often shine.
- "How does this fit with the steroid cream — instead of, or alongside?"Many plans combine tools.
- "Any side effects to expect, and how do we use it?"Some cause brief stinging at first; your doctor will explain.
The takeaway
You have more than one option, and ‘I'd rather not use steroids there’ is a reasonable thing to raise. The point isn't to pick a medicine from a web page — it's to walk into the appointment knowing the landscape, so you and your doctor can choose the right fit for your child.
Bring the full picture to the conversation
Whatever treatment fits your child, the clearest thing you can bring your doctor is an honest record of how the eczema behaves. Ollowen turns your check-ins into exactly that.
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Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) for children.
- National Eczema Society. Topical calcineurin inhibitors.
- Rady Children's Hospital. Topical calcineurin inhibitors.
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