Should i ask my doctor before using benzoyl peroxide?
i gοt folliculitis аnd i read thаt іtѕ best tο wash thе area wіth benzoyl peroxide whісh i саn gеt over thе counter bυt ѕhουld i аѕk mу doctor іf іtѕ safe tο υѕе іt? οr саn i јυѕt gο ahead аnd υѕе іt without asking mу doctor? im 16
My first answer is, "It’s probably okay."
Let me detail that answer. Topical benzoyl peroxide only has one contraindication (meaning there is only one reason you should not use it completely), and that is if you are ALLERGIC to it.
However, it does cause skin dryness, and there are many drugs that can make that dryness more severe.
I have included the reference on EPOCRATES for benzoyl peroxide, which includes a list of these drugs.
If you are otherwise healthy, and you are not taking any other drugs, and you do not have any serious medical problems, then you have nothing to worry about.