Accutane Side Effects and Solutions.

Lately I've been reading old blogs of people who blogged solely for the purpose of being on the tane.  Who knew there was slang for those of us on it.

This morning I woke up with a certain amount of pain/burning on the top of my right hand.  Of course I freaked out a little as I've had a history (2 times now) with bedbugs and nearly cried at the thought of laundering my whole apartment, the time, the money, the hassle, the emotional stress etc.  Upon closer examining it, I realized these were not bites, but rash-like. I've never had a rash in my life, so I really do not know what one on my own body would look like.   Going about my morning at 0545 washing my hands,face, teeth etc, and winced when water touched my hand.  Inflamed, sore and burning, I cursed my body, my apartment, my life.  Quickly realizing this might be a side effect of the tane.  A quick google search proved that correct.

It's unsightly but not the end of the world.  This might fall into the TMI for some of you, although I feel I have to document this for anyone who might find this blog while researching Accutane side effects etc.  The rash is very mild, although it appearance is more like crusty, flaking small circular scabs.  (goodbye love life) If it only ever shows up on my hand(s) I'll take it.  I do not think I could manage if it showed up on my arms, legs, etc, with the summer months coming. Aka skirt/t-shirt/tan top season.

I thought I was winning the war against dryness on my body. My body says otherwise. I have a small arsenal  kit of moisturising items with me at all times. In a little makeup kit. Thank gawd for travel size!!!!

This is my Accutane  survival travel kit.

Vaseline Travel Size. - NEVER under estimate the power of this as a moisturizer for your whole body.  Lips and inner nose especially. Lather it on!

Q-Tips To any sort of nasal ointment.

Ceralip by La Roche-Posay - for lips. 
Awesome stuff. Vaseline works just as effectively if you're concerned about price. They also carry a whole line for people on medication/accutane etc.

Cetaphil - Eczema wash/moisturizer. Cheap and effective.  helps calm the readiness a little.

Baby Oil Travel Size - Yes Baby oil.
When it's used correctly (applied to slightly damn skin) it works wonders and is NOT greasy. I can almost hear parts of my body say "aaaahhhh" when I apply it. I have a full size at home and the travel size at work.

Avene TriXera+Selectiose Emollient Cream.  - Favorite body/face moisturizer
By far the best $35 you'll spend on moisturizer. And you only need 1/2 a pump to do you're whole face-twice. One full pump to do each leg etc..  It's worth the money. They also carry a whole line for people on medication/accutane etc.

Coppertone Waterbabies SPF 70 or higher. - Enough said. It is a must.

Of course those on Accutane know not to use any sort of exfoliant. And to PAT all your skin dry, do not rub.  Anyone who'd made this mistake knows exactly what I'm talking about.  It hurts.

My scalp is tender when I wash it.  The whole process of washing my hair has decreased too. I have dry hair to begin with, seems dryer now. I usually wash my hair every 3-4 days as it is. Now, I actually "wash" it once a week. That's 7 days, ladies and gents. 7 whole days. I wet it and condition it often, but only apply shampoo once a week right now.  I'm afraid if I did it more often, my hair would start to fall out.