Remember how good it felt to finally get through the adolescent years of being more prone to acne? The chance of getting acne typically declines with age but can appear in older adults. The most common form of acne is called acne vulgaris which occurs in millions of people worldwide. Acne occurs when fluctuating hormone levels cause an increase in oil production by sebaceous glands coupled with more rapid growth of cells that line the hair follicle. The combination of excess oil and cells form a plug in the hair shaft causing a build up of oil. Normal facial bacteria are also present in the clogged hair shaft. Once this bacteria begins to multiply, painful eruptions, swelling and redness can occur.
Acne is now also being found in some adults who take the medication Lamictal which is also known as Lamotrigine. Lamictal may be used alone or in combination to help decrease the number of seizures in those age two years old and above with epilepsy. It may also be prescribed for those age 18 years and older with bipolar disorder. According to the drug insert from GlaxoSmithKline, the pharmaceutical company who produces Lamictal, acne was reported in <1% of those studied in its clinical trials.
Some people who have had side effects after taking Lamictal report having acne breakouts when they have not had any skin problems prior to starting the medication. These breakouts can be painful, anxiety provoking and embarrassing, leaving individuals with the decision to weigh the risk versus benefit of continuing the medication.
Treatment of Lamictal Acne
If you have acne that appeared after starting Lamictal, talk with the prescribing physician prior to making any adjustments to how your medication is taken. Some people have found relief from the acne with a decrease in the dose of Lamictal. Another option is to try an over the counter acne product such as Benzoyl Peroxide. Avoid soaps that are heavy in fragrance and consider only using sensitive skin or fragrance free skin products. Make sure that you do not pick or scratch your blemishes as this can not only further irritate the skin but also cause hyper pigmentation and scars.
Lastly, remember that your diet has a tremendous effect on your skin. Try altering your diet slightly to exclude foods that are thought of to contribute to acne. These include foods high in fat, processed foods, caffeine and alcohol just to name a few. These foods either cause a hormonal imbalance causing an increase in sebaceous production or affect the liver which then releases toxins in the body which also affect the skin. Although most of these suggestions are typically treatments for acne vulgaris, they may also be an option to try as an adjunct therapy to treat Lamictal Acne.
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