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Topic: Smoking Cessation
Question: I've been using a nicotine patch to quit smoking, but am getting a skin rash under the patch. What can I do to stop the rash?

Answer:There are a few things you can try to avoid or relieve a rash caused by a nicotine patch:

§ Put the patch on a different area of your body to see if the symptoms persist.

§ Try another brand of patch; not all patches use the same adhesive.

§ Removing the 24-hour patch before bedtime also may help. You also might try a 16-hour product instead, since local skin reactions tend to occur more often in people using 24-hour patches.

§ To relieve the discomfort of the rash and help it go away, you can try using an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream, or talk to your doctor about prescribing 0.5 % triamcinolone cream.

If your symptoms persist, please consult your doctor about alternative quit-smoking methods, such as nicotine gum.

Visit our Smoking Cessation Center for quitting tips and motivation.

View stop-smoking products available on Walgreens.com.

View the Walgreens.com Ask a Pharmacist Archives for a list of all commonly asked questions.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of the scientific literature may vary. Walgreens' terms of use and general warranty disclaimer apply to all services provided. If you are in need of immediate medical attention, contact your physician, poison control center or emergency medical professional. If you need to speak with a pharmacist for non-emergency matters, contact your local Walgreens pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free at 1-877-250-5823.

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