Advice about management of skin conditions in the community: who are the providers?

A survey was undertaken in the central Victorian city of Maryborough to investigate the use of pharmacies and general practitioners as sources of advice about skin problems. In a 2 week period consumers purchasing either prescription or over the counter (OTC) products for skin, hair and nails in pharmacies were approached for interview. Simultaneously, each of the city's general practitioners (GP) completed questionnaires on all patients presenting with conditions of skin, hair and nails. Seventy per cent of the 315 consumers interviewed were purchasing OTC products and 50% prescription items. Of the OTC products, 42% were originally recommended by pharmacy staff and 18% by doctors. Over one-third of consumers buying OTC products described symptoms to pharmacy staff and in about half of the cases it was to the pharmacy assistant. One-third of people describing symptoms had already seen a doctor. Problems most frequently reported were dermatitis, skin dryness, acne and tinea. General practitioners recorded 265 conditions (of which 54% were new) in patients. The most common condition treated was solar keratosis, and GP wrote a prescription for 45% and recommended OTC products for 7% of conditions. People in Maryborough are seeking advice for their skin conditions from a variety of sources including GP, pharmacies and others.