Skin Care

ACNE

1. Wash your face once or twice a day.  Use soap only on the oily areas.
2. Apply acne cream or gel to your entire face once a day. Begin your regimen with over-the-counter products that contain Benzoyl Peroxide™ as the main ingredient. Start with a formula containing 2 ½% then move up to 5%, then 8% and 10%. Only advance through these dosages as your skin is able to tolerate them. Expect your skin to peel, but not be raw.
3. Follow with a sun block that contains SPF 15 (or more) moisturizer.

Note: If acne shows little or no improvement after 4 weeks, consult your doctor, nurse practitioner or dermatologist.
Source: Personal communication with dermatologist Frederick Novy,  M.D., March 4, 1997

          Revised: M. Perez,  N.P., 7/2004

ATHLETE'S FOOT

1. Wash and dry your feet thoroughly at least once a day, making sure to wash between your toes as well. A hair dryer, when set on the coolest setting, can dry your skin fast.
2. Apply anti-fungal powder, cream or liquids generously after drying (e.g., Lotrimin™).
3. Apply anti-fungal powder to your feet when wearing shoes with socks. However, wearing sandals is optimal so your feet can be exposed to air.

Note: If athlete's foot does not disappear within two weeks, notify your doctor or nurse practitioner.
Source: Frandsen, 1983

HIVES

1. Apply over-the-counter topical anti-itch cream or lotion such as Calamine Lotion™ or Rhuli Gel™ over the hives for temporary relief of itching. For additional relief, rub ice directly over the hives or take a cool shower.
2. Take an oral over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl™. Use as directed.
3. Soak in a cool or lukewarm bath with one cup of baking soda. Another option is using an oatmeal product to bathe in.

Note: When itching becomes too severe and /or hives do not go away within three days, or are associated with difficulty breathing, consult your doctor or nurse practitioner.

Source: Mosby & Park, 1995

INGROWN TOENAILS

1. Soak your foot in hot water (spa or hot tub temperature) several times a day.
2. Lift the corner of the nail and push a small amount of cotton under the ingrown corner. Gradually the nail should grow out over the skin.
3. To avoid this problem in the future, trim the nail straight across. Do not trim the nail in a curve.

Note: If nail becomes increasingly inflamed and tender, seek care from your doctor or nurse practitioner.

Source: Doctors Hospital, 1997

POISON OAK

1. Wash the areas of suspected contact with soap and cool water immediately. If water isn't available, use alcohol to wipe the affected areas.
2. Use soothing anti-itch creams (e.g. Calamine Lotion™) and/or over-the-counter antihistamine pills such as Benadryl™ for the relief of itching.
3. If you go out where you suspect poison oak, protect yourself with agents such as Tecnu™.

Note: If poison oak does not clear up or if itching becomes too severe, consult your doctor or nurse practitioner.

Source: Fries & Vickery, 1990

SMALL CUTS

1. With a gauze pad or a clean cloth, cover the cut and apply pressure for at least five minutes to stop the bleeding.
2. Wash the cut with soap and warm water to cleanse the wound.
3. Apply an antibiotic cream/ointment such as Neosporin™.
4. Cover the wound with an adhesive strip or sterile gauze with adhesive tape. Change the bandage daily and/or when it gets wet. Wash gently and keep it clean and dry.

Note: Notify your doctor or nurse practitioner if cut gapes open, you are unable to stop bleeding or signs of infection appear such as swelling, heat, pain, redness, or pus.

Source: Personal communication with N.B. Smith, M.D., February 24, 1997

SUNBURN

1. For pain and swelling reduction, apply a cool compress for 15 minutes or soak the sunburned area in cool water. Take a cool bath if the sunburn affects large areas of your body. You can add a half cup of baking soda or oatmeal to your bath water to decrease inflammation. Also, keep sunburned area away from exposure to the sun. Use a sunblock with an SPF of 15-30.
2. Take aspirin or a non-aspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol™) or naproxen (e.g. Aleve™). Be aware if you have a history of stomach problems or allergic reactions to aspirin. Calamine Lotion™ may also be used to reduce pain and swelling.
3. Do not intentionally break blisters if they happen to form. If they do break, apply anti-biotic cream or ointment and cover the blisters with a sterile dressing.

Note: If severe pain, nausea, vomiting, swelling , blistering  and  fever over 101°  F occur, treatment may be needed by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

Source: Frandsen, 1983.   

          Revised: M Perez,   N.P., 7/2004

WARTS

1. Soak the area in warm water.
2. File off the top layer back and forth with a nail file to expose the wart underneath.
3. Apply a liquid wart remover that contains 17% Salicylic Acid and allow it to dry. Follow with a second coat and allow to dry.
4. Now cover the wart with a piece of regular tape (e.g. Scotch brand tape) and hold together in place. For faster wart removal, try using a piece of a Salicylic Acid tape preparation (e.g. Mediplast™).
5. It is recommended that you repeat this procedure at least once every 24 hours minimally, and 2-3 times a day preferably. The wart should be gone in several weeks. Pain and bleeding may occur.

Note: If  you suspect signs of infection , consult your physician or nurse practitioner.  If you are diabetic seek medical advise first before attempting self-care.

Source: Warts handout from Cal Poly Health Services, October, 1992,

Revised: M. Perez,  N.P., 7/2004

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