Posted by chloe on August 14, 2001, at 19:42:51
In reply to Skin Conditions - medications/anxiety/stress etc., posted by sweetmarie on April 10, 2001, at 7:41:15
Anna,
I know you posted this a while ago, but it's up my alley right now. I have always had mild dry skin and eczema. But these mood stabilizers or anticonvulsants are the worst for my skin! My skin is so dry, my scalp so sore and hair so brittle and thinning...I am in despair. I need a really gentle soap and shampoo, but I can't find one gentle *enough*...Or I need to ditch the neurontin and topamax! I wish!
On to your question...I don't know what meds you are on, but several that I know of can cause folliculitis. One I just got off of, Trileptal causes it. And I got folliculitis on my scalp. Ouch! Many of the mood stabilizers do have this listed. You just need a pdr and check in the dermatologic section. Granted, stress or anxiety could also cause or add to skin problems. But I wouldn't rule out your meds. I think I used to get acne from Zoloft, an SSRI. That was always so strange, since I have such dry skin.
I think some people just have more delicate integumentary systems (skin!). Though I know alot of people who take the same meds I do, don't complain of skin problems. I consider them lucky!!!Chloe
> This isn`t strictly a medication question.
>
> I have had a skin condition called folliculitis all my life. However, it`s always been fairly mild. Over the past months (about 8/9), the condition has flared up big-time on my arms.
>
> I`ve done quite a lot of checking around about medication side-effects, and can`t find this condition as listed as a side-effect of any medication. Also, it did not develop as the result of any medication alteration/change.
>
> My theory, therefore, is that it is to do with stress/anxiety/low mood in general. This is also based on a previous experience I had when I was first very ill, when I developed acne, having never had it before (or since).
>
> Has anyone any similar skin problem experiences? I`d really like to hear them, as this is doing my head in.
>
> Dr Bob, if you`re reading this - I hope that you don`t think this an inappropriate posting for the board.
>
> ANY info would be good.
>
> Anna.
poster:chloe
thread:59296
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75088.html