Clean the Skin: Before applying Atrac-Tain, clean the affected area gently with a mild soap and water. Pat the skin dry with a towel.
- Apply a Thin Layer: Apply a thin layer of Atrac-Tain cream or ointment to the affected area once daily or as directed by your healthcare provider. It is typically applied in the evening, right before bed.
- Avoid Sensitive Areas: Avoid using Atrac-Tain around the eyes, mouth, or broken skin as this could cause irritation.
- Wash Hands After Use: After applying Atrac-Tain, wash your hands thoroughly to avoid accidental contact with other sensitive areas.
- Moisturize: Tretinoin can sometimes cause dryness or irritation, so it is often recommended to use a moisturizer along with the treatment to help keep the skin hydrated.
- Sunscreen: Because Atrac-Tain can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, it’s important to use sunscreen daily and avoid prolonged sun exposure during treatment.
Tretinoin-the active ingredient present in Atrac- Tain works essentially on the basis of its keratolytic and anti-inflammatory action:
- Cell Turnover- Tretinoin increases the rate of skin cell turnover, which prevents accumulation of keratin leading to a thickened rough appearance that is characteristic of conditions like ichthyosis. This increased turnover stimulates the exfoliation of skin, thereby reducing scales and rough patches.
- Enhances Skin Texture: Tretinoin encourages the skin to let go of dead cells much better, thereby generally giving the skin a more intuitive feel: smoother and softer.
3.Keratinization Control: In diseases such as ichthyosis vulgaris, the shedding of skin cells is poor, leading to accumulation of keratin and giving a thick scaly appearance. Tretinoin helps to control it, making sure that the skin produces and sheds its cells in a more natural fashion.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Tretinoin also has weak anti-inflammatory action and can minimize redness and inflammation associated with common skin disorders such as ichthyosis or keratosis pilaris.
As any medication has adverse/side effects, Atrac-Tain might have some. Bear in mind that not everyone would develop all of these adverse effects. Many common adverse effects are:
- Skin Irritation: The side effects include redness and burns, stinging, or peeling of the skin, most especially at the onset of treatment.
- Dryness: Skin turns to be dry and produces flakes. These conditions can be relieved with a gentle moisturizer.
- Sun Sensitivity: It sensitizes your skin to sunlight as well. Sunburn would be easily established due to this property of tretinoin. Use your sunscreen and do not get too much in the sun.
- Allergic Reaction: This is quite an extreme case, a minority may suffer allergic reaction among which there may be eruption, swelling, or severe irritation. If such cases arise, one must consult his or her doctor.
Atrac-Tain is available only by prescription. It is best used under a health professional who can monitor its effects and make appropriate changes to the treatment regimen.