I took accutane for 6 months for minor chin acne. After a month of being off the drug I developed a red bumpy rash on my chest, thighs & legs. I had minor keratosis pilaris rubra on my face & arms since I was a child and am 28, it appears to be the same kind of small red bumps as KP but I have never had it anywhere else & have had clear soft skin. I have had the rash for 6 mths now & it appears to be getting worse. I have tried AHAs & differin 1% on my chest for almost 2 mths w no improvement.
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Answers (3)
From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Accutane helps acne by reducing oil production and thereby reducing cyst production in those with moderate to severe acne. It does not have an impact on collagen.
There is a relatively common scalp condition in elderly men called Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp, which resembles acne and is treated with acne medication such as antibiotics or Accutane.
Although safe to continue with contact sports while on Accutane, I always warn my patients that they may experience fatigue or joint and muscle aches while on Accutane, so they perform below their potential in competitive sports.