Can Intake Of Iron Supplements Cause An Acne Flare Up?

Posted on Fri, 16 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 Answered on

Sat, 14 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been taking a non-prescription acne medication - Acnepril for more than a month. It started showing results. But a week ago, I started Iron supplements, and is it possible that acne could flare up because of this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Iron supplement does not cause acne

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist).
I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.
No. Iron supplement does not cause acne flare. Acne itself is a fluctuating skin condition with periods of flare and relative control and people might erroneously implicate those fluctuations to innocuous factors. I am not sure acnepril is an effective antiacne medication.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (53 minutes later)

Thank you for clarifying that.

About acnepril, I have been seeing some changes on my skin, but it's slow effect.

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (26 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Topical antiacne medications

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I suggest you to use a proper treatment for acne.
For mild to moderate acne you may use benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel once during day. At night you may use adapalene 0.1% + clindalycin 1% combination gel for overnight application.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar