Preventing psychological distress in patients with acne.

Acne is a skin condition that affects people of all ages, although it is most common in adolescents. It is a condition that can be underestimated by healthcare professionals because it is generally not life threatening. However, acne can have profound psychological effects on an individual, and can result in reduced self-esteem, depression and suicide in extreme cases. It is important, therefore, that nurses are aware of the psychological effects of this condition to assist in providing support and optimising psychological recovery for patients.

Therapeutic strategies for acne vulgaris.

Acne is the most common skin condition worldwide and can have significant physical and psychological effects. Up to a third of those affected will require medical intervention to prevent irreversible scarring. This article provides general information about acne, introduces current guidelines and offers advice to help nurses support patient adherence to treatment.

Acne vulgaris in patients with skin of colour: special considerations.

There is a paucity of nursing literature in the UK about the management of skin diseases in patients with skin of colour. Acne vulgaris is a common condition affecting all skin types. However, there may be histological and clinical differences in patients with skin of colour. This article describes the management of acne in patients with skin of colour, including potential sequelae that may be triggered by the condition and its treatment. The aetiology of acne will be briefly outlined and management of mild, moderate and severe forms of the condition wiII be discussed, highlighting considerations and subtleties when prescribing.

Acne management and patient support - a nursing concern for all.

Acne is one of the most common skin diseases in the UK, affecting not only teenagers, but people of all ages. Acne can cause immense psychological distress and greatly affects people's lives and wellbeing. However, acne is entirely treatable; early effective treatment of mild and moderate acne can often prevent severe acne and scarring, which can be irreversible. Nurses should be concerned and address the needs of patients with acne, providing advice on management, treatment and psychological support. This article outlines the principles of acne management and identifies how nurses can support acne sufferers in their clinical practice.

Key steps in implementing evidence-based practice: asking compelling, searchable questions and searching for the best evidence.

From the searches presented, it can be seen that there are times when scientific studies will not be available to answer burning clinical questions. If systematic reviews, evidence-based guidelines, and individual studies are not available, clinicians must then turn to expert anecdotal evidence to guide their decision-making process and interventions. As further randomized controlled trials are conducted to evaluate nursing interventions, more scientific evidence will become available to guide nursing practice. However, it is important to remember that EBP not only encompasses evidence from research and its appraisal, but also includes patient preferences and expertise by the clinician. Because a meta-analysis indicated that patients had 28% better outcomes when nursing interventions were based on scientific evidence rather than interventions that were steeped in tradition (Heater, Becker, & Olson, 1988), it is essential that nurse practitioners and nurses have the appropriate knowledge and skills to translate evidence from research into practice. Asking searchable questions and knowing how to search for and find the best evidence are two key steps in delivering the highest quality of evidence-based nursing care to patients and their families.

Nurses in research: the treatment of acne.

Many nurses undertake research, either as part of a research team or independently as the research lead. Nurses are well placed to participate in research, using their clinical skills to the benefit of both the participants and the research objectives. This article focuses on the value of nurses in research. Using the example of their own experiences of a large NHS clinical trial, the authors demonstrate how nurses can become involved in research, what skills are needed, and how nursing skills and experience can contribute to the role of a clinical assessor/research nurse.

Topical treatment of acne vulgaris for the nurse practitioner.

Managed care has encouraged primary care providers to expand their management capabilities to include those diseases traditionally referred to specialists. Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder that makes up 20% of a dermatology practice. Acne can have significant psychosocial ramifications that may improve with treatment. Most acne patients have a mild to moderate grade of acne that can be successfully treated with topical therapy. Tools are provided for the diagnosis and assessment of acne, and a practical approach to treatment is offered.

Azelaic acid 20% cream (AZELEX) and the medical management of acne vulgaris.

Azelaic acid 20% cream (AZELEX) is a novel anti-acne agent with antimicrobial activity and keratinization-normalizing properties. In acne it is broadly comparable in efficacy to 0.05% tretinoin, 5% benzoyl peroxide, and 2% erythromycin, but is less irritating than tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide.

Acne: therapeutic perspectives with an emphasis on the role of isotretinoin.

This article provides nurses with information about drug therapy for acne. Various therapeutic modalities are discussed with an emphasis on the use of isotretinoin. The risks associated with pregnancy during isotretinoin therapy are discussed to help nurses work effectively with physicians and patients in the treatment of severe acne in women of childbearing potential.

The aesthetic alliance: nurses and medical facials.

This article introduces and explains methods for integrating services of dermatology nurses and cosmetic dermatologists. Basic aesthetic techniques can be incorporated into the dermatology practice; or a specialist, namely a licensed aesthetician, can perform the medical facial.