Acne Primary Care Visit

Acne Primary Care Visit

Acne is a common skin disorder that affects approximately 90% of teens and young adults. Acne can be described as mild, moderate, or severe. Mild acne is defined as < 20 comedones, papules, or pustules without scarring and can typically be treated with topical treatments. Moderate to severe acne includes prominent acne with many comedones and inflamed papules, pustules, and nodules. It often involves more than one area of the skin (including the back and chest as well as the face) and typically has associated scarring. Moderate to severe acne requires a more aggressive approach to reduce permanent scarring. Regardless, all acne can have a profound psychological impact on self-esteem and can contribute to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

Management of acne most often requires prescription medications and therefore requires a primary care visit with a Nurse Practitioner.  Michelle with provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan with prescription medications and if necessary, lab requisitions for blood work depending on the treatment plan.  As Nurse Practitioners in Ontario are not currently about to bill OHIP for services, there is a $100 fee for this assessment and prescriptions.

Because of the chronic nature of acne, patients have the option to continue to be monitored by a nurse practitioner as needed for maintenance management of acne and for acute flares of acne after the active treatment protocol has been completed.