Patient concepts and misconceptions about acne.

A questionnaire was completed by 178 patients and relatives with dermatologic conditions as the first phase of a two-part study of the interrelationships between understanding and treatment compliance. Substantial numbers of those surveyed had ideas about cause, treatment, and prognosis that might adversely affect therapy. Diet, dirt, soap and water, topically applied acne gels, and realistic expectations for cures seem to be the most important subjects to emphasize in the written or oral "teaching" of patients with acne.