5 new admissions...on my face!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok, the title probably didn't make much sense, but I was referring to skin. :uhoh3: seriously, 5 new zits in one shift!! Not only that, by the end of the shift I felt a cold sore on my bottom lip forming...and Idont even remember the last time I had a cold sore! I work nights (7p-7a) and ever since I started a few months ago, my skin has had a turn for the worse! And it had cleared up to being semi-decent the past few years...and I'm 25 y/o and still breaking out.

Has anyone had skin problems(or it getting worse) once working nights?

What to do, what to do???

I've been so sick since starting nights. It hasn't shown on my face, but I think it would be easy for it to do so.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Stress can cause outbreaks as it also can raise bad cholesterol levels. As for cold sores (Herpes type I) which between 50% to 80% of the American population can be tested positive for also comes about with stress.

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Specializes in Cardiac, PCU, Surg/Onc, LTC, Peds.

When I switched back to day shift my face cleared right up. No matter what I tried while working nocs I still broke out with terrible pimples. Very embarrassing when you're 30 yrs old!

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Acne isn't limited to adolescence :) Sorry you're having to deal with this .

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
My instructor told me that stress has nothing do with pimples.

I have battled with acne all of my life (34 yrs) + am a licensed esthetician of 6 yrs & new grad RN...from my personal and professional experience, stress ABSOLUTELY causes break outs. Increase in cortisol levels cause an increase in sebum production which is an environment that bacteria (lots and lots of this in the hospital) love & thrive in which = breakouts! I noticed the same thing when I did night shifts. My advice would be the usual...drink lots of water, sleep when you can, and equally as important that will directly affect the stress than can be causing your break outs= exercise, yoga, hike...anything that can bring ur stress down! Also, cleanse your skin with 2% salicylic acid :)

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Yeah, I do believe the stress is a major factor. And I realize that I become super dehydrated and not drinking enough h20 during my shift (yet manage to fit in a cup of coffee, lol)...plus I wait to eat when my stomach starts to growl...it's bad when the pt hears it!

I follow Dan's regimen (from acne.org) since I was in HS and found it the most effective on my skin (and I had tried nearly everything by that point). But like I said my skin got really bad after start nights.

I guess I'll have to FORCE myself to drink more water and eat during my shift...lol....who said nights aren't busy???? Maybe because I'm still kinda new, it's difficult to fit breaks all the time...

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Little_Mouse (how cute are you!)

Remember keyboards. Do you have them in each room to chart? Or do you have to hunt a cow down or go to the nurses station? If you got your own during your shift, before you start get one of those super wipes and do a once over. Especially if your computers are also used by MDs (dirty people they are).

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Specializes in ICU.

I have super oily skin and have had to fight acne and blackheads all my life. Plus I live in a hot and humid state. I have used Neutrogena Acne Wash with 2% salicylic acid for years, and it is the only thing that keeps my face clear. I sometimes use Neutrogena "2 in 1" Rapid Clear with 2% salicylic acid also, especially when I don't have time to wash my face well. The salicylic acid really gets rid of zits fast, and it quickly reduces the scars, too. I never wear foundation, just use a powder compact, like Clinique superpowder, which covers like a foundation but does not break me out. Keep your hands off your face at work! My chin kept breaking out until I realized I was constantly touching it while I was working at the desk at the hospital.

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Specializes in Cardiac, PCU, Surg/Onc, LTC, Peds.
Yeah, I do believe the stress is a major factor. And I realize that I become super dehydrated and not drinking enough h20 during my shift (yet manage to fit in a cup of coffee, lol)...plus I wait to eat when my stomach starts to growl...it's bad when the pt hears it!

I follow Dan's regimen (from acne.org) since I was in HS and found it the most effective on my skin (and I had tried nearly everything by that point). But like I said my skin got really bad after start nights.

I guess I'll have to FORCE myself to drink more water and eat during my shift...lol....who said nights aren't busy???? Maybe because I'm still kinda new, it's difficult to fit breaks all the time...

I make myself drink an 8oz cup of H2o Q time I fetch a cup for my pt and the breaks will get easier to fit in with experience.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
I have super oily skin and have had to fight acne and blackheads all my life. Plus I live in a hot and humid state. I have used Neutrogena Acne Wash with 2% salicylic acid for years, and it is the only thing that keeps my face clear. I sometimes use Neutrogena "2 in 1" Rapid Clear with 2% salicylic acid also, especially when I don't have time to wash my face well. The salicylic acid really gets rid of zits fast, and it quickly reduces the scars, too. I never wear foundation, just use a powder compact, like Clinique superpowder, which covers like a foundation but does not break me out. Keep your hands off your face at work! My chin kept breaking out until I realized I was constantly touching it while I was working at the desk at the hospital.

Dose this dry out your skin? I used neutrogena gentle cleanser but have to follow with a neut. lotion because my face is dry and tight. I'm 48 yrs old and battling mild acne and was recently diagnosed with rosacea.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, plasmapheresis.

Working off shifts affects every part of your mind and body. Earthclinic.com is a self help natural cure/treatment site with lots of wonderful ideas.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

If skin gets infected, get ABs. Also I use Betadine on my cold sores - stops them itching and spreading, doesn't look great but the cold sore usually disappears in about 2 days. I also take multivitamins everyday, eat lots of fruit @ work, & veggies for tea, & no junk food. Drinking veggie juice at work also helps too.

Get enough sleep as well (ha ha!)

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