Patients with acne vulgaris continue to seek treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal of a new study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology was to evaluate whether patients receiving oral isotretinoin are at an increased risk of COVID-19 infection, by comparing them with patients on topical treatment for acne vulgaris.

This was a retrospective cohort study that enrolled 267 acne vulgaris patients who were under follow-up for acne vulgaris treatment. Overall, 141 patients received isotretinoin treatment and 86 were prescribed topical treatment. Of these, 29 patients had COVID-19 infection, during the treatment period. At the time of COVID-19 infection, fifteen patients were given oral isotretinoin and 14 were receiving topical acne treatment. 

The results showed that ninepatients (64.3%) receiving isotretinoin treatment and another nine (60%) under topical treatment reported loss of taste and smell during COVID-19 infection. Moreover, isotretinoin treatment did not increase the risk of getting COVID-19.

From the findings, it was inferred that oral isotretinoin treatment is safe for use in patients having COVID-19 infection. Thus, dermatologists should be encouraged to prescribe oral isotretinoin for treating acne vulgariseven during the ongoing pandemic.

Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021 Apr 22.doi: 10.1111/jocd.14168.