Severe irritant contact dermatitis causing skin ulceration secondary to a testosterone patch

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has evolved with topical formulations like patches and gels.
• There is growing interest in treating age-related testosterone decline in men, termed andropause.
• TRT is increasingly personalized to individual patient needs.

Observation:

• Skin reactions are known side effects of testosterone patches, with irritant contact dermatitis being most common.
• Ulceration of the skin has not been previously reported as a side effect of testosterone transdermal therapies.
• This case presents a patient experiencing ulceration associated with testosterone patch use.

Findings:

• Testosterone transdermal therapies, while beneficial, carry potential risks.
• The case study details a rare adverse event (ulceration) linked to testosterone patches.
• Management strategies for such side effects are crucial for patient safety.

Implications:

• This finding expands the known spectrum of side effects for testosterone transdermal treatments.
• As topical testosterone therapies become more prevalent, awareness of potential complications like ulceration is essential.
• Further research into the mechanisms and prevention of these rare side effects is warranted.