o Acne makes it easy for peers to label a patient as different or unattractive.
The Importance of Physical Appearance
o Numerous studies have documented the impact that physical appearance has on how well or badly a person is perceived by peers and/or potential employers.
o Beauty is tremendously valued in our culture.
o People who are not considered to be physically attractive are often shunned.
Fear of Acne
o Although most people know that acne is not contagious, they are often reluctant to touch someone who has the disease.
o Acne affects the face, which is an intimate part of the anatomy.
o Patients with acne may not feel kissable or lovable.
o Overreaction to acne by friends and family members may make acne patients self-conscious.
Clues to Low Self-esteem
o Teenaged patients with acne who are feeling bad about themselves make remarks such as, "It's gross," "I look awful," or "It's a bummer."
o Adults may say, "I'm concerned about my face, ""I don't like the way I look," "I don't like my appearance, ""I don't feel good about myself."
o Patients who avoid eye contact or try to hide their faces are probably experiencing lowered self-esteem.
o Young girls may try to use heavy makeup to camouflage their acne, which may worsen their skin condition.
o Patients of any age may feel bad about themselves when they have acne.
Acne Interferes With Daily Activities
o Some children may have trouble playing sports because the chinstraps or brims on headgear might make their lesions bleed.
o A severe case of acne might cause a patient to stick to his or her pillow when the lesions ooze at night.
o Acne may make it more difficult for a teenager to have dates or interact with the opposite sex.
Treating the Disease Treats the Depression
o Unlike other skin diseases, which may not be treatable, acne can usually be improved or resolved with a wide range of medications.
o Investigative researchers have pinpointed the main etiologic factors in acne, which can be addressed by different types of therapies.
o Dr Drake always encourages her acne patients to remain active, rather than hiding out until their acne clears.
o Patients whose acne improves dramatically usually also experience dramatically improved self-esteem.
o As their skin improves, self-care improves, eye contact improves, and participation in social activities improves.
o Even kids who seemed to be okay about their acne often experience relief and happiness once their skin clears.
When a Psychological Consultation Is Helpful
o Dr Drake recommends consulting with a psychology professional in the rare cases when a depressed patient's acne does not improve with treatment.
o There are times when a patient is so depressed about acne that he or she might need to be treated for depression simultaneously with acne therapy.
Reaching Out to the Community
o There are still many teenagers and adults who are not receiving adequate treatment for their acne.
o Although over-the-counter medications can sometimes be helpful and effective for very mild cases, a dermatological consultation would be beneficial for most acne patients.
o Dermatologists must increase their educational efforts to reach a wider group of potential patients.
o The American Academy of Dermatology has a wide variety of pamphlets and bulletins available to the public on the causes and treatment of acne.
o Dr Drake hopes more dermatologists will set up educational programs for schools to educate kids about skin diseases.
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