More than 95% of teens are susceptible to a skin disorder called acne vulgaris. Skin treatment creams and gels help to cure this problem. Although these topical remedies are effective, they are not regularly in use. A large number of affected people rely on oral antibiotics to develop resistance. This study explores how youth perceive acne and its various treatment modalities. The researchers wanted to understand the youth’s experiences with both acne and its treatment procedures.
Health Experiences Research Group at Oxford University collected interview data. Youth with acne in the age group 13 to 24 years were the population. The researchers subjected a total of 25 transcripts for re-analysis.
Most participants perceived acne as a short term, self-limiting condition. They had unrealistic expectations and found topical treatments ineffective. Many of them could not differentiate cosmetics from pharmaceutical preparations. They were worried about the proper usage and side effects of the treatment. They wanted to avoid side effects and were also concerned about the need for oral treatments. Only a few participants were aware of antibiotic resistance to acne.
People lacked information on different topical medicines, and failed expectations led to frustration and non-adherence. These youth need evidence-based information as well as regular support for acne management.
Ref: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjd.19271
