ACNE VULGARIS – ADEQUATE AND TIMELY THERAPY AS AN EARLY PREVENTION OF PSYCHOSOCIAL DISTURBANCES

Acne is a polyetiological chronic disease of pilosebaceous units that affects 80% to 90% of teenagers and adolescents. It is manifested as mild, moderate, or severe form. Since adolescence is time of psychological, emotional and social personality development, the appearance of acne, most frequently on face, demands long-term treatment, significantly affects psychologic and emotional state, creating the feeling of being marked and leading to depression, anxiety, social isolation and negative effect on the quality of life. Timely education, with general information on the causes, duration of the disease and adequate treatment can significantly affect patients’ relation to the disease and reduction of psycho-social problems. The analysis included 220, 39 (55%) males and 60 (45%) females, 14 to 30 years of age (or more), most frequently 16 to 20 years old with moderate form of the disease. Therapy was applied according to valid protocols. Each patient was given full attention with the explanation of the nature and course of the disease. The largest number of patients had the expected results, which was mutually appreciated. It was concluded that individual approach and cooperation during the treatment of each patient were necessary.