Eczema patients were enthusiastic about medical cannabis but rarely discussed it with dermatologists
Among 76 survey respondents with eczema, 100% supported medical cannabis use, 94% wanted to learn more, but 93% had never discussed it with their healthcare provider.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
100% of respondents supported medical cannabis use. 94% would be comfortable seeing a cannabis-recommending dermatologist. 94% were interested in learning about cannabis for eczema. 93% had never discussed it with their provider. 47% were unsure if OTC cannabis products were FDA-regulated. Most commonly used OTC products without medical guidance.
Key Numbers
76 respondents. 36% most commonly used OTC products without dermatologist recommendation. Only 3.1% used medical cannabis recommended by a dermatologist. 100% supported medical cannabis. 93% never discussed with provider. 47% unsure about FDA regulation of OTC products.
How They Did This
Online survey distributed by the National Eczema Association via social media. 76 respondents (69 with eczema, 7 caregivers). Assessed cannabis product use, knowledge, attitudes, and healthcare provider interactions.
Why This Research Matters
The endocannabinoid system plays a role in skin health, making cannabinoid therapies a plausible area of research. But the massive gap between patient interest and medical guidance means patients are experimenting without clinical support.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabinoid-containing skin products proliferate, dermatologists are being outpaced by consumer interest and the cannabis industry. This study highlights the urgent need for evidence-based guidance.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample (76). Self-selected from National Eczema Association, likely overrepresenting cannabis-interested patients. No clinical outcome data on cannabis use for eczema.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do cannabinoid products actually help eczema?
- ?Which cannabinoids and formulations are most relevant for skin conditions?
- ?Would dermatologist education about cannabis change prescribing patterns?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 100% supported medical cannabis but 93% never discussed with provider
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: very small, self-selected sample from advocacy organization with no clinical outcomes.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Evaluation of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Product Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes in the Eczema Community.
- Published In:
- Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 21(4), 413-419 (2022)
- Authors:
- Whiting, Cleo, Duan, Xuejing, Friedman, Adam
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04297
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis help eczema?
Research supports the theoretical potential of targeting the skin's endocannabinoid system for eczema, but clinical evidence is limited. Many patients are using OTC cannabis products without evidence of efficacy.
Why have so few discussed it with their dermatologist?
The study did not explore specific reasons, but it mirrors patterns seen in other conditions where patients feel uncertain about broaching cannabis use with physicians, and physicians may lack knowledge about cannabinoid therapies.
Are OTC cannabis skin products regulated?
Many are not. Nearly half (47%) of respondents were unsure whether OTC cannabis-derived products were FDA-regulated, reflecting widespread consumer confusion about product oversight.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04297APA
Whiting, Cleo; Duan, Xuejing; Friedman, Adam. (2022). Evaluation of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Product Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes in the Eczema Community.. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 21(4), 413-419. https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.6615
MLA
Whiting, Cleo, et al. "Evaluation of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Product Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes in the Eczema Community.." Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 2022. https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.6615
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Evaluation of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Product Use, Knowledg..." RTHC-04297. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/whiting-2022-evaluation-of-cannabis-and
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.