The present invention provides for a topical composition that includes a topical carrier and an adenosine deaminase inhibitor. Suitable specific adenosine deaminase inhibitors include, e.g. , deoxycoformycin (dCF), deoxyadenosine (dAdo), cladrabine (CdA), fludarabine (F-Ara-A), cytrabine (Ara-C), and thioguanine. The present invention also provides for a method to treat lymphocyte mediated skin diseases and to alleviate symptoms associated with such skin diseases. The method includes topically administering the composition to a mammal in need of such treatment. The present invention also provides for kits and syringe systems that include the adenosine deaminase inhibitor.