Fingertip Units for Topical Steroids

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. 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

One fingertip unit (FTU) is the amount of topical steroid that is squeezed out from a standard tube along an adults fingertip. (This assumes the tube has a standard 5 mm nozzle.) A finger tip is from the very end of the finger to the first crease in the finger.

One FTU is enough to treat an area of skin twice the size of the flat of an adult's hand with the fingers together.

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:

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

© EMIS and PIP 2004   Updated: September 2004   Review Date: October 2005   CHIQ Accredited   PRODIGY Validated