Question for previous Accutane users

[belledreamer]

I took Accutane about 5 years ago for 6 months, experienced the usual drying out of skin, peeling skin, etc. and about a year after, my body seemed to go back to normal. Except for one thing: the skin on my hands.

Every year since then, from late Spring to early Fall, everything's normal. But once we get our first cold front, my hands (especially my right hand) turns bright red, gets very dry, and starts cracking and bleeding. I've tried several different lotions, but anything perfumed makes it burn. I've also tried Gold Bond and had to wash it off after a few seconds. So now I use Vaseline because it's the only thing that doesn't burn.

Has anyone else had this kind of reaction to Accutane and if so, have you found a treatment that works? I've seen my regular doctor about it, who doesn't seem to think that it's any more than just dry skin. And also my dermatologist, who couldn't find anything either...

 

[Octoberbride03]

Its been about 20yrs since i took accutane, but never had any major problems with my hands from it. I do get really dry hands on occasion but that's from working at Target. I handle a lot of cardboard and the HVAC system is sucking my hands dry this year. I'm using Vaseline and gloves lately as well, though its pretty much under control now. So I'll return to my usual routine of AVON Intense Moisture therapy lotion. It has been the best lotion I've used.

 

[belledreamer]

bump

 

[AshleyW]

I took Accutane about 5 years ago for 6 months, experienced the usual drying out of skin, peeling skin, etc. and about a year after, my body seemed to go back to normal. Except for one thing: the skin on my hands.

Every year since then, from late Spring to early Fall, everything's normal. But once we get our first cold front, my hands (especially my right hand) turns bright red, gets very dry, and starts cracking and bleeding. I've tried several different lotions, but anything perfumed makes it burn. I've also tried Gold Bond and had to wash it off after a few seconds. So now I use Vaseline because it's the only thing that doesn't burn.

Has anyone else had this kind of reaction to Accutane and if so, have you found a treatment that works? I've seen my regular doctor about it, who doesn't seem to think that it's any more than just dry skin. And also my dermatologist, who couldn't find anything either...

I never took accutane, but DF took it for awhile in high school when we were dating. He has the same problem once it gets cold out. Ususally around late October or early November. His hands get extremely dry, but he doesn't get the bleeding. His skin pretty much peels instead of cracks, and so he winds up with a lot of red, tender skin exposed on his hands. He went to the urgent care this fall for it, because it was pretty painful, and they prescribed him some type of a steroid cream that seemed to help. He also slathers on some vaseline at night and wears gloves while he sleeps to help soak up the moisture from the vaseline. Other than that, he hasn't found much that helps... we usually go to Mississippi for Thanksgiving, and it starts to heal up that week thanks to the high humidity down there.

I know from living with DF that it can be a huge pain, so good luck, hopefully you can find something that works for you.

 

[Feralpeg]

My sister has the same problem with her hands. She has had this problem for many years. As soon as it gets cold, her hands turn red and her skin cracks open. She's tried many things, but nothing is very successful. Since moving to Florida, the issues hasn't been much of a problem.

Oh, she never used accutane. My mom had the same problem.

 

[*JoGo*]

I took it a few years ago and that first winter the backs of my hands had a terrible red rash and dry itchy skin. First, I noticed it was worse with certain soaps. We use soft soap at work, and I wash my hands dozens of times a day (preschool). Method soap didn't irritate it so much. Then I usEd Aquaphor. In a pinch, unflavored chapstick.

As for steroids..
When I was on it, my derm gave me a steroid to put on my lips. She said not to use it too often because it would make the skin tear and crack easier. I don't know if that's true with all steroids or all areas of skin though. But I would ask to be sure.


Good luck. I know it really hurts.

 

[disneyhand]

Antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer is often the cause of irritated skin in my experience.

 

[RNMOM]

Have you tried Neutrogena? The Norwegian formula hand cream. It is in a short 2oz tube but it takes only a small amount. It feels very similar to vaseline but is much better. Honestly. It's the only thing that got me through all those hand scrubs from surgery. I put it on extra thick at bedtime and rub, rub, rub till it is all absorbed. Works great for me. I have psoriasis and use it on small patches of it too.

I have extra sensitive skin and allergies so I understand about reacting to stuff. They make a regular formula and a fragrance free one.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

DD25 took accutane when she was 16. I asked her and she said she only has normal winter dry skin.

 

[Nicolepa]

I've taken it twice, once at 13, second at 32/33. I've never had an issue once off th medicine.

 

[jfulcer]

Took Accutane when I was a teenager and don't have anything like this.

I'd recommend you check into something called Aquaphor. Doc prescribed it for DD when she was an infant for dry skin. We buy big tubs of it now for all types of dry skin. Better than most skin moisturizers, less greasy and yucky than vaseline. It's good stuff.

 

[focusondisney]

I"ve never taken Accutane but I've been an RN for over 33 years & I know all about dry, bleeding hands. What does he do for a living? It's possible it's more related to his job or lifestyle now than the Accutane. I am right handed & my right hand is always drier than my left, just because I am using it more.

Mine would get so bad I would just about cry from the pain. Washing my hair in the shower was pure torture. I've been thru Aquaphor, Neutrogena & lots of other hand creams. Eventually every one started burning & irritating my hands & I'd have to find a new lotion.

I have been using Sally Hansen Dry Chapped Hand Creme for the last 2 years with great results. The active ingredient is "Dimethicone". I think that is the key. I recently noticed the same ingredient in an Aveeno lotion too. I've got a few other RNs at work using the Sally Hansen with good results.

The key to any lotion is actually using it tho. He'll need to reapply several times a day, especially after prolonged exposure to cold, heat or water. I even find that my hands get very dried out doing laundry. Folding clothes out of the dryer is very drying.

Don't know where you live but another thing that helps is wearing gloves when outside. I start wearing gloves as soon as the temp is less than 50 degrees outside. People look at me funny sometimes "it's not that cold, etc.." but it really helps to protect my hands. I know men don't always want to wear gloves, but it really will help him if he does.

Hope he finds something to help him.


EDIT: OOPS: I typed the reply as if it were your BF, not you with the problem. Got confused with the PP's comment about her BF having the problem, too. Sorry!

 

[mr.bungle]

I took Accutane about 5 years ago for 6 months, experienced the usual drying out of skin, peeling skin, etc. and about a year after, my body seemed to go back to normal. Except for one thing: the skin on my hands.

Every year since then, from late Spring to early Fall, everything's normal. But once we get our first cold front, my hands (especially my right hand) turns bright red, gets very dry, and starts cracking and bleeding. I've tried several different lotions, but anything perfumed makes it burn. I've also tried Gold Bond and had to wash it off after a few seconds. So now I use Vaseline because it's the only thing that doesn't burn.

Has anyone else had this kind of reaction to Accutane and if so, have you found a treatment that works? I've seen my regular doctor about it, who doesn't seem to think that it's any more than just dry skin. And also my dermatologist, who couldn't find anything either...

You explained my hands perfectly. I took Accutane in 1996 for a while. I also have the nasty side effects the ambulance chaser-like commercials talk about. "If you used accutane and have these digestive disorders..."

Anyhow, I use 2 things: Hemp lotion from the body shop:
http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/shop-by-line/hemp/hemp-hand-protector.aspx

It burns a bit right after putting it on but that goes away quickly. I usually use it at night because I don't like having greasy hands and the lotion kind of makes you smell like a hippie.

I also use O'Keefe's Working Hands. Same sting but no scent.
http://www.okeeffescompany.com/?gclid=CPP7sMbm1K0CFSJjTAod4R7mkg

 

[elgerber]

My son took Accutane a few years back, but he doesn't have this issue.

 

[NotUrsula]

No comments on the Accutane issue, but I have a similar problem due to an odd congenital skin condition that I have.

My preferred remedy is pure cocoa butter. You can usually find it in the ethnic skin care section. If you are not allergic to chocolate it should not bother you.