What should you know about imiquimod pediatric use?

Children may have sensitive skin, difficulty keeping medicine away from the eyes or mouth, and a greater chance of touching or rubbing the treated area. Imiquimod stimulates a local immune response, which can cause redness, itching, soreness, scaling or crusting.

Whether it is appropriate depends on the child’s condition, age, lesion location, skin health and the product instructions. A growth or rash should be identified before treatment; a medicine intended for one condition may be unsuitable for another.

An adult should apply the medicine exactly as prescribed, wash hands before and after, and prevent the child from rubbing the site or transferring the product to another person. Keep it away from the eyes, lips, inside of the nose and broken skin unless the clinician gives specific instructions.

Use the planned schedule rather than adding applications when the skin looks unchanged. Keep packets or containers secured, label the treatment area clearly for caregivers, and tell the clinician about eczema, allergies, immune problems or other medicines used on the child’s skin.

Call the child’s clinician if irritation interferes with sleep, eating, school or normal activity, or if the area becomes very painful, swollen, weepy or infected-looking. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, faintness, widespread blistering or peeling.

Ask why imiquimod is being considered, how the child’s age and skin site affect the plan, and who should apply it. Clarify bathing, sports, sun exposure, missed applications, expected irritation and the date for reassessment.