Acne

Acne is a condition of the pilosebaceous gland. Mild acne affects the majority of teenagers at some point, but in one study only 14% of girls and 9% of boys actually consulted their GP and of these 0.3% were referred to see a dermatologist (Rademaker et al., 1989). However, acne is not just a condition affecting teenagers, it can persist into adult years and for a number of people it appears for the first time after teenage years are left well behind. There are also instances in which babies show signs of acnetype lesions (Cunliffe et al., 2001). Acne is a condition which can be effectively treated. In order to make the most of the treatments available, it is helpful for nurses to understand the underlying pathology of the condition. There are a range of treatments available; however, patients need support to ensure that they are used appropriately and effectively.