Does accutane cause eczema?

Are you tired of wondering if your latest breakout is just acne or something else? If you’ve been on Accutane, you might be wondering if there’s a connection to that pesky eczema that seems to pop up out of nowhere. Here’s what we dug up in our research.

Background Information

Accutane (isotretinoin) is commonly prescribed for severe cystic acne and works by reducing oil production in the sebaceous glands. It’s also known for some pretty serious side effects, like increased sensitivity to sunlight and possible birth defects when taken during pregnancy.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a skin condition characterized by red, itchy rashes that can appear anywhere on the body. It affects about 10-20% of children worldwide and can persist into adulthood.

Now let’s dig deeper…

The Evidence Against

There isn’t any concrete evidence suggesting that Accutane causes eczema (sigh). However, isotretinoin has been shown to cause other skin conditions like cheilitis (dryness and cracking around the lips), pruritus (itchy skin), and xerosis (dry skin). So it’s not impossible that these symptoms may be what people are experiencing as “eczema.”

But before jumping into conclusions…

Misdiagnosis: Are You Sure It’s Eczema?

Not all rashes are created equal! When diagnosing eczema doctors take small factors such as family history, age etc., into consideration besides evaluating clinical signs like scaly patches whereas with psoriasis this would look lilac flat topped plaques vs erythematous dry ones seen in atopic dermatitis which were angry little red bumps at some point 🙂

If it sounds confusing… here’s table!

Atopic Dermatitis Psoriasis
Scaly patches Lilac flat topped plaques
Red Bumps Erythematous dry

Did that make it a little better? Essentially, eczema isn’t the only skin condition out there, sometimes other conditions like psoriasis might cause similar symptoms which were a result of Accutane intake.

Treatment for Eczema

It’s important to remember that even if you do develop eczema while on Accutane (which again, is rare), it’s not the end of the world! Here are some treatment options:

Moisturize

Applying lotions and creams such as Cetaphil or Petroleum Jelly are known to help soothe dryness and diminish irritation (You should always consult your doctor before trying any remedies though).

Prescription Creams

If over-the-counter treatments aren’t working well, medicinal creams containing topical corticosteroids or medications with calcineurin inhibitors may be prescribed. They will reduce inflammation and autoimmune reactions in case these red bumps just don’t go away (We’ve all been there!).

Bath Therapy

Adding colloidal oatmeal to bathwater helps relieve itching while bleach baths can help get rid of bacteria colonizing atop itchy regions areas during flare ups.

Conclusion

Though isotretinoin has several side effects ranging from less dangerous ones like extreme sun sensitivity to serious matters such pregnancy complications but unfortunately there is no direct evidence stating the connection between taking this drug and developing eczema. However, anyone experiencing potential symptoms must visit their dermatologist since different types of rashes require different things so rashes need personalized attention given by none other than skilled physician (not Dr. Google)!

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