We take medication as a preventative or to cure an illness or a disease. But did you know the effects that some medicines can have on your skin? Whatever we intake and digest takes a toll on our skin. With all medication that you take, be cautious and make sure to read the side effects.
Dr. Wright’ Tip
If you are having a negative reaction from the medication you are taking, you may want to contact your doctor. If you are experiencing dry skin from your medication, make sure to drink plenty of water and use a daily moisturizer. Don’t forget to use sunscreen, because too much sunlight while taking certain medication can cause a negative reaction. Below is a list of common medications and potential negative skin effects.
Tetracycline; Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Tetracycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun. Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours before or after taking tetracycline.
Aspirin; One of the most common skin-related side effects of extended aspirin use is bruising. Bruises are caused when capillaries are damaged and allow blood to leak visibly underneath the skin. Because aspirin is a blood thinner, it can keep the blood vessels from healing as quickly as they normally would. This however should not affect you much and might not necessarily be a reason for you to stop your aspirin treatment. However, sometimes taking aspirin in combination with other chemicals can be connected to more severe skin reactions, such as cold, clammy, red, swollen or blistered skin. If this happens, or if the bruises or discolorations become severe, consult your doctor immediately. These can signal more dangerous reactions that require immediate treatment.
Hormonal Therapy and Birth Control Pills can cause skin pigmentation changes. Many people suffer from skin pigmentation problems as a result of locally increased skin pigment production. They appear as age spots, moles, liver spots or hyper pigmentation after local skin damage, excess heat or sun exposure. Freckles are another variation in pigmentation of the skin which is caused by uneven release of the pigment. It is important to wear a minimum of SPF 30 and a broad brim hat when going outside.