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Fingertip Units for Topical Steroids
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| Topical steroids are used for various skin conditions. The amount of topical steroid that you should apply is commonly measured by 'fingertip units'. |
What are topical steroids and how do they work?
Topical steroids are creams, ointments and lotions which contain steroid drugs. Topical steroids work by reducing inflammation in the skin. They are used for various skin conditions such as atopic eczema. Unlike many other creams and ointments, it is important to get the dose right when using topical steroids. This is why a standard measure is often used - the fingertip unit.
Fingertip units

Two FTUs are about the same as 1 g of topical steroid. Therefore, for example, say you treat an area of skin the size of eight adult hands. You will need four FTUs for each dose. (This is 2 g per dose. If the dose is once a day, then a 30 g tube should last about 15 days of treatment.)
The following are further examples:
| Area of skin to be treated (adults) | Size is roughly: | FTUs each dose (adults) |
| A hand and fingers (front and back) | About 2 adult hands | 1 FTU |
| Front of chest and abdomen | About 14 adult hands | 7 FTUs |
| Back and buttocks | About 14 adult hands | 7 FTUs |
| Face and neck | About 5 adult hands | 2.5 FTUs |
| An entire arm and hand | About 8 adult hands | 4 FTUs |
| An entire leg and foot | About 16 adult hands | 8 FTUs |
Fingertip units and children
An FTU of cream or ointment is measured on an adult index finger before being rubbed onto a child. Again, one FTU is used to treat an area of skin on a child equivalent to twice the size of the flat of an adult's hand with the fingers together. You can gauge the amount of topical steroid to use by using your (adult) hand to measure the amount of skin affected on the child. From this you can work out the amount of topical steroid to use.
The following gives a rough guide:
For a 3-6 month old child
- Entire face and neck - 1 FTU
- An entire arm and hand - 1 FTU
- An entire leg and foot - 1.5 FTUs
- The entire front of chest and abdomen - 1 FTU
- The entire back including buttocks - 1.5 FTUs
For a 1-2 year old child
- Entire face and neck - 1.5 FTUs
- An entire arm and hand - 1.5 FTUs
- An entire leg and foot - 2 FTUs
- The entire front of chest and abdomen - 2 FTUs
- The entire back including buttocks - 3 FTUs
For a 3-5 year old child
- Entire face and neck - 1.5 FTUs
- An entire arm and hand - 2 FTUs
- An entire leg and foot - 3 FTUs
- The entire front of chest and abdomen - 3 FTUs
- The entire back including buttocks - 3.5 FTUs
For a 6-10 year old child
- Entire face and neck - 2 FTUs
- An entire arm and hand - 2.5 FTUs
- An entire leg and foot - 4.5 FTUs
- The entire front of chest and abdomen - 3.5 FTUs
- The entire back including buttocks - 5 FTUs
Further help and information
National Eczema Society
Hill House, Highgate Hill, London, N19 5NA
Tel (Helpline): 0800 089 1122 Web: www.eczema.org
References
- Eczema - atopic, Clinical Knowledge Summaries (July 2008)
- Using topical corticosteroids in general practice, MeReC Bulletin, Vol 10, No6, 1999
- Long CC, Finlay AY; The finger-tip unit--a new practical measure. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1991 Nov;16(6):444-7. [abstract]
- Long CC, Mills CM, Finlay AY; A practical guide to topical therapy in children. Br J Dermatol. 1998 Feb;138(2):293-6. [abstract]
The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.
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