ABSTRACT

Acne vulgaris is a common cutaneous condition seen globally and has a considerable psychosocial impact. Many patients with acne try various forms of self-medication, alternative therapies, and prescription medicines for the treatment of acne.

We studied various patterns of acne treatments used in a cross-sectional study among patients presenting in a tertiary care hospital. A 2-part questionnaire was used to evaluate the socio-epidemiologic factors and responses to treatments used by acne patients presenting at our center for the first time. The patients used self-medication, alternative therapies (e.g., Ayurveda), treatments from general practitioners, and also specialists.

Most of the patients reported either no treatment response or even deterioration. Several patients even used topical steroids and suffered adverse effects (corticosteroid-induced rosacea-like facial dermatitis).

The findings of our study stress the role of appropriate counseling of acne patients in management. Improvement in the doctor-patient relationship is also essential to enhance the treatment efficacy in acne.