COMMON DERMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN PHC
Dermatology Case
A 17 year-old walks into your consultation room and complains of pimples on her for the passed 2-3 years. On further questioning she tells you that she has tried all the over counter medications, to little effect. It has now affected her social life as she is afraid to go out and socialise due to being self conscious. She has stopped eating fatty foods and chocolate as she has heard that this may be causing it.
On examinaton you notice she has areas of erythema with multiple small comedomes and some larger pustules on both cheeks and across the forehead. You can see no evidence of scarring.
Questions:
- How would you grade her acne?
- What types of lesions can be present in acne?
- What would be your management plan?
- What advice would you give with regards to her diet?
She comes back to see you after 6 months of treatments prescribed by you. The acne initially improved but has not settled.
On re examination you note her acne is still pustular with large lesions and now you can see some small scars present on the cheeks.
- What management might be considered now?
- How would you counsel her regarding the next step of treatment?
