Acne and working with patients

Rakkika · Apr 18, 2011

I remember back in the day when I first started breaking out..."it'll go away when you're an adult" they said....21 now and it's still here.

When I have money I have a prescription for 333mg Erythromycin 3x a day. It's annoying to get into the swing of taking it so often but I swear in a week my face is almost completely clear. And I'm not risking any sort of kidney failure with Accutane

jjic3982 · Apr 18, 2011

LOL "Kidney failure with Accutane." Now that is scary.

I'm glad my skin is much healthier now. Not a dime spent (well water bills xD).

As long as the pimples go away, I'm happy!

allnurses Guide · Apr 19, 2011

Hello y'all
I don't really get acne, but when I do I break out into cystic acne. The ones that are as big as a dime. I feel so embarassed to talk to patients, to work with the nurses. I feel my productivity at work lessens a lot, and the way I interact with patients becomes really different and its not "me"
How do you guys deal with this?

I worked with a dermatologist for 3 years so believe me - I know exactly what you are talking about. Cystic acne, rosacea and severe ectopic dermatitis have a huge impact on self-image! I had horrible dyshidrotic eczema on my hands -and a latex allergy! I was so self-conscious thinking what patients were thinking . . .everything made me flare up it seemed.

My true belief is that if you take care of yourself as best you can and do your best to let your personality show through it will become less and less of an issue for people who know you. Those residents who may have some decline in cognition will blurt things out the way children sometimes do, but there really isn't anything you can do, and I've been insulted on many occasions for the oddest things like my long hair "this isn't the '60s so why is your hair like that?" :confused:

We aren't supposed to give medical advice - but I agree 100% with the suggestion to see a dermatologist. New treatments are constantly coming around the bend and there are usually multiple ways to deal with it if the first regimen doesn't work for you.

Did you know that the first groundbreaking work on the psychology of self-image was not done by a psychiatrist, but a plastic surgeon who observed the phenomenon in his patients who had something visible to others? It's a real blast from the past but if you are interested his name was Maxwell Maltz and the book is Psycho-Cybernetics.

Best wishes to you! :)

Vegemite · Apr 19, 2011

Hey ya'll

Thanks for the advice. The thing is, I get 1 - 2 cystic break outs. The huge dime ones. The only reason I'd go to a dermatologist would be to get a cortisone shot. But the problem is, it takes 2 - 3 weeks just to see a dermatologist and by then it the cyst would start getting smaller.

I work in pediatrics in a hospital.

I guess the insecurity really comes from what the parents think. I mean with 2 big cystic acne, it really easy to come to the conclusion that I don't shower or take care of myself (which is absolutely false). Also would you guys want someone with cystic acne to take care of your sick kid not knowing what it is? Even though it is completely safe? These are just the questions that constantly run through my head everytime I see parents. I guess I am being apathetic, which they teach us in cna class

Also, when nurses give me orders I can't even look them in the eye because in my head I can see them just zoning in on the zit and just thinking to themselves "That is HUGE"

My face is clear now, so I'm back to my great self :)

Friendli · May 11, 2011

OK- I had cystic acne when I lived in FL but since moving to AZ it has been clear for 3 years now. I have been in nursing school and under different stressors in the last three years. It hasn't been since I began my job at a nursing home that I have had an extreme fair up of cystic pimples. I am thinking it could be environmental--- more resident interaction, more infections, more bacteria= hello acne.

jjic3982 · May 12, 2011

Bacteria and infections are the most common causes for my acne. I don't get them anymore though.

jesskidding, LPN · May 12, 2011

Before getting into nursing I worked for Clinique. They have a great line of acne products that you might like. They even have foundation to go with their acne line. I would suggest visiting your local Clinique counter and have a consultation. I had terrible skin in high school, but after starting a regular Clinique skin routine my skin has been beautiful!That was 7 years ago. The 3-step is great. There is a special 3-step for acne as well. I hope this helps!

By the way, my self esteem was pretty much non-existant when my skin was bad. Now, I get compliments on it! I know exactly how you feel and it's not a good feeling.

:)

Friendli · Oct 11, 2011

I hear ya, it's humiliating. I have been dealing with it for so long now I'm pretty used to it but even when I get rid of the acne from using harsh cleansers I then have embarrassing dry skin... then the scars... boo Clinique is pricier than I am willing to go right now, I wish I could afford them a bit more. Do you think it's really worth it?

planteater · Oct 12, 2011

jjic- I get minor breakouts and have either had allergic reactions to the creams/gels the dermatologist has given me or have not had success with them. I will try the lemon juice idea :-)

jjic3982 · Oct 12, 2011

Hey planteater,

I'm sorry about your allergies.

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this, but make sure the lemon juice is DILUTED.

Since lemon juice itself is very acidic, so start with using less lemon and A LOT of water and add more lemons or juice if needed.

My sister did more research on skin products and said that they use lemon due to it's skin benefits.

However, since it is "taking out the protective, dead epidermal skin cells" it leaves you exposed to ultraviolet waves. Yet many times helps create acne, hence the lemon water helps.

I place three lemon pieces into a container and fill it with water. I refill with water until the lemon needs to be changed out (lasts a long time and lemon is cheap).

Works great with oily forehead and chin.

During the winter, skin gets dry so I make sure I add less lemon and more water. Then I apply lotion (I dilute this also since oily lotion gives me pimples) and skin is great.

Other than the ultraviolet wave concern (not really bad as long as you stay out of sun or use sun screen) there isn't any other issues that I am aware of. From my personal experience only issue was dry skin but this was because I didn't DILUTE the juice.

I also remember posting a link (where I got this idea from) that had a lot of people commenting how well this trick worked.

I think it was acne.org but its somewhere in my previous posts.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP ME UPDATED! I'm curious to see how it works out for you.

P.S. Always ask your dermatologist or doctor beforehand if you can like someone mentioned. I didn't and has been a year and skin is SOOOOOO much better.

Edit* by the way wish me luck on my CNA exam in two days!!!

cstatic · Oct 13, 2011

After trying many different things my doctor (General not dermo) put me on BC pills that are monophasic, and I take one pill every night of minocycline. Not only did the BC pills level my skin related hormone eruptions but I stopped having a meltdown once a month on my S/O. Yes I will still have some clogged pores here and there or a blemish, but the deep painful ones that topical treatments didn't help are totally gone. As for working while not feeling your best, try to give yourself the same understanding and compassion you give to others. We are all human and have issues whether its acne, or bad gas, or in my case one overactive armpit that sweats 24/7. Talk about making me feel sloppy and unprofessional! What I found when I did my CNA clinicals though was that even though it must have been noticed (hello, big wet spot and it isn't even warm out) what they noticed more and remembered was my energy and positive attitude. So even though it bothers you, try not to let it dampen your spirit because your energy will always be the most memorable thing.

daniellevw · Oct 14, 2011

I started breaking out when I worked at a nursing home. I worked in the dementia unit and one old lady would say something about it. She was really confused and she thought that she spread something to my face. When I was giving care she was like "what happened to your face, I hope I didn't give anything to you". I was just like no you didn't and I felt a little embarrassed, but I know she didn't mean anything by it. In fact, one time she cried and was explaining how much she loved me and all the things I did for her and that I was so good to her.