The National Cancer Institute, or NCI, reports that the health risks caused by smoking cigarettes include heart and blood vessel disease and cancer of the lungs, bladder, mouth, throat and kidney. Quitting smoking dramatically reduces these health risks. The NCI notes that there is strong scientific evidence that nicotine replacement therapy, such as using nicotine gum, lozenges or skin patches, increase a person’s chance of quitting. The nicotine from a nicotine patch is absorbed through the skin and causes multiple effects on the body.
Reduces Cravings
The main purpose of nicotine patches is to reduce cravings for cigarettes to help smokers quit, according to the NCI. Nicotine from a nicotine patch is absorbed through the skin in a small but steady dose. The nicotine absorbed into the body prevents the intense physical cravings for cigarettes that nicotine withdrawal may cause.
Skin Effects
FamilyDoctor.org, an informational website created by the American Academy of Family Physicians, also describes the effects of nicotine patches. The patch may cause the skin underneath the patch to tingle, which occurs soon after the patch is applied. The tingling usually only lasts between 15 minutes to an hour after a new nicotine patch is applied, which is normally worn for 16 to 24 hours. Additionally, after removing a patch, the skin may turn red for up to a day. FamilyDoctor.org advises contacting a medical professional if the skin stays red for four days or longer, or becomes swollen and sore. The NCI advises that people with especially sensitive skin or allergies to the adhesive used by nicotine patches not use this form of nicotine replacement therapy.
Side Effects
Drugs.com details both the mild and severe effects of nicotine skin patches. One common side effect of these patches is abnormal dreams. If these abnormal dreams become too bothersome, the NCI advises people to wear the patch only during the day, for about 16 hours, but remove it before falling asleep. Drugs.com also adds that nicotine patches commonly cause mild dizziness, mild headache, nervousness, sweating and trouble sleeping.
Nicotine patches can also cause severe side effects. For example, nicotine patches sometimes cause severe allergic reactions such as hives; difficulty breathing; and swelling of the lips, mouth and tongue. Other possible severe side effects are fast heartbeat, severe dizziness and/or headache; and stomach pain and/or vomiting.
Drugs.com advise seeking medical attention if these severe side effects occur.
