“Nursed to Health” feature in Times-Union by JU’s Laura Swearingen takes on tricky topic of teen acne

JU adjunct nursing faculty member Laura Swearingen took on the tricky topic of acne in the regular “Nursed to Health” feature by Jacksonville University’s School of Nursing, which ran in the H section of The Florida Times-Union on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Swearingen addressed the physical and non-physical effects of the dermatological problem, stressing the need for parents to look for behavioral and emotional symptoms in their teens.

Here’s an excerpt:

In 2010, I conducted research asking family practice, pediatric and dermatology professionals what they did when assessing acne in adolescents. Most spent the time during a visit assessing the physical aspects of the acne; only rarely did they assess the psychosocial effects, such as depression, social anxiety and body image disturbances.

Additionally, more than 90 percent of the medical providers surveyed found it important to discuss the physical effects such as scarring, but fewer than half found it important to discuss the psychological effects.

Having uncontrolled acne is detrimental to some teens when body image, self-esteem and social development become central to their development physically and socially. Many studies have found that patients with “bad” acne have even contemplated suicide.

It’s apparent that everyone needs to be more diligent in promptly seeking care for those who suffer with uncontrolled acne.

Some of the symptoms to watch for in your adolescent are withdrawal from social and peer activities or events; diminished eye contact when communicating; and constant negative comments about body image.

As most parents know, being a teen is not easy, and understanding what your child is going through daily is even more difficult.

Read the entire article by clicking here.