finger tip units (in administration of topical steroids)
Last reviewed 09/2021
- one finger tip unit (FTU) is the amount of ointment expressed from a tube
with a 5 mm diameter nozzle, applied from distal skin crease to the tip of
the palmar aspect of the index finger in adults (1)
- it is a validated method of applying the drug in suitable safe quantities (2)
- the average weight of 1 FTU is approximately half a gram (2) (0.43 g
in women and 0.49g in men)
- number of FTUs required to treat various anatomical regions (in adults):
- scalp - 3 FTU
- face and neck - 2.5 FTU
- entire arm (including hand) - 4 FTU per arm
- hand (front & back) inclding fingers - 1 FTU per hand
- elbow (large plaque) - 1 FTU
- entire leg (including entire foot) - 8 FTU per leg
- foot (dorsum and soles) including toes - 2 FTU per foot
- knee (large plaque) - 1 FTU
- both soles - 1.5 FTU
- buttocks - 4 FTU
- trunk front - 8 FTU
- trunk back - 8 FTU
- genitalia - 0.5 FTU (3)
- FTUs required for different areas of a child's body are (1):
| Age | Entire face and neck | Entire arm and hand | Entire leg and foot | Entire front of chest and abdomen | Entire back including buttocks |
| 3-6 months | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 1 | 1.5 |
| 1-2 years | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2-5 years | 1.5 | 2.0 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 |
| 6-10 years | 2 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 5 |
Reference:
- 1. MeReC. Using topical corticosteroids in general practice. MeReC Bulletin 1999;10(6), 21-24
- 2. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 2007. Atopic eczema in childrenmanagement of atopic eczema in children from birth up to the age of 12
- 3. Menter A et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 3. Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60(4):643-59