Patients with eczema open to OTC cannabinoid products

BOSTON — Patients with eczema are increasingly turning to over-the-counter cannabinoid products and physicians should be ready to discuss their benefits, according to a poster presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.

“Current research supports the potential for targeting the cutaneous endocannabinoid system to treat eczematous dermatoses,” Cleo Whiting, BA, of George Washington University, and colleagues wrote. “Our understanding of patient knowledge and utilization of cannabis/cannabis-derived products as treatments for eczema is limited.”

Researchers conducted an online survey, advertised by the National Eczema Association, on social media and through the organization’s network.

OTC cannabis products were used without a dermatologist’s recommendation by 36.07% of respondents, while 3.12% of patients said they had used cannabis-based OTC products recommended by a dermatologist.

All of the respondents said they were open to learning more about the use of medical cannabis in the treatment of eczema, while 94% said they had never discussed the topic with a dermatologist.

“Eczema patients are open to learning about cannabinoids and many are already using OTC products,” the authors wrote. “As both consumer interest/use and the cannabis industry continue to outpace medical research and guidelines, dermatologist need to be prepared to counsel patients on cannabinoid applications in dermatology.”