Skin Disorders and Management – SS1 Beauty & Cosmetology Lesson Note (Third Term)

A skin disorder is a condition that changes how the skin looks or feels, such as acne, eczema, heat rash and ringworm.

What is the role of a cosmetologist when a client has a skin disorder?

A cosmetologist recognises the disorder, gives simple care advice, protects others from infection and refers serious cases.

• Recognise: know how common skin disorders look.
• Advise: give simple care advice only, not medical treatment.
• Protect: avoid spreading infection to other clients or to yourself.
• Refer: send the client to a doctor when danger signs appear.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. describe how acne, eczema, heat rash and ringworm look on the skin;
2. give simple management advice for each of these disorders;
3. list the four danger signs that mean a client must be referred to a doctor;
4. explain the referral rule and tell a client politely to see a specialist;
5. follow the steps of observing, asking and sanitising when a client has a skin disorder.

What are the common skin disorders and how are they managed?

There are four common skin disorders in this lesson: acne, eczema, heat rash and ringworm.

What is acne?

Acne is a skin disorder in which pores become blocked and form pimples.

• Cause: pores blocked by oil and dead skin cells, often worse during puberty.
• Blackheads and whiteheads: small clogged pores, dark at the top or white.
• Cysts: painful, deep, red bumps.
• Spread: acne is not contagious.

Management:

• Non-comedogenic products: advise products that do not clog pores.
• No picking: tell the client to stop “picking” or “popping” pimples.
• Gentle washing: wash the face twice a day with a gentle cleanser containing salicylic acid.

What is eczema?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a skin disorder that makes patches of skin dry, red and itchy.

• Who gets it: common in children and in people with very dry skin.
• Appearance: dry, itchy, red patches. On darker skin it can look purplish or brownish.
• Long-term scratching: the skin becomes thick like “leather”.
• Spread: eczema is not contagious.

Management:

• No scents: avoid soaps with strong perfumes.
• Moisture is medicine: apply thick creams like shea butter or petroleum jelly straight after a bath to trap water in the skin.
• Cool down: hot water makes eczema worse, so use lukewarm water for bathing.

What is heat rash?

Heat rash (miliaria) is a rash caused by sweat trapped under the skin in hot weather.

• Appearance: tiny red bumps or blisters that prickle or itch.
• Where it appears: places where we sweat a lot, such as the neck, chest and back.
• Why it is common: hot Nigerian weather makes people sweat heavily.
• Spread: heat rash is not contagious.

Management:

• Keep cool and dry: stay in the shade or in a cool room.
• Loose clothes: wear loose cotton clothes.
• Calamine lotion: use it to stop the itching.
• No heavy oils: thick oil blocks the sweat even more and makes the rash worse.

What is ringworm?

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin, caused by a tiny fungus that grows in damp, dark places.

• Cause: a fungus, not a worm.
• Appearance: a red, itchy circle that is clearer in the middle, like a ring.
• Athlete’s foot: the same type of fungal infection, found between the toes.
• Spread: ringworm is contagious.

Management:

• Protect yourself: wear gloves and disinfect your tools immediately if you touch it.
• Antifungal cream: advise the client to buy one from a pharmacy.
• Separate items: the client should keep towels and clothes apart from other people’s.

How do the four common skin disorders compare?

The table below summarises the look, contagion and main advice for each disorder in this lesson.

When should a cosmetologist refer a client to a specialist?

A cosmetologist should refer a client to a doctor whenever any of four danger signs appears.

Never try to “treat” a client who shows these danger signs:

1. Bleeding or oozing: a skin growth or mole that is bleeding or leaking fluid.
2. Sudden change in a mole: a dark spot that is changing shape, getting bigger or has jagged edges. This could be a sign of skin cancer.
3. Spreading fast: a rash that is moving across the body very quickly.
4. Pain and fever: a skin problem that comes with a high body temperature.

What is the referral rule?

The referral rule is “When in doubt, refer them out.”

• Know your limits: a cosmetologist is a beauty expert, not a skin doctor (dermatologist).
• Say it politely: “I am a beauty expert, not a skin doctor (dermatologist). For your safety, I think you should show this to a doctor before we continue our treatment.”

How should a cosmetologist check a client’s skin?

A cosmetologist checks a client’s skin by observing, asking and sanitising.

1. Observe: check the client’s skin under a magnifying lamp.
2. Ask: “When did this start? Does it itch? Does it hurt?”
3. Sanitise: always wash your hands and tools after dealing with a skin disorder.

When should a cosmetologist refuse a service?

A cosmetologist should refuse a facial when the skin is too irritated, because protecting the client comes first.

• Irritated or broken skin: treatment can make it worse.
• Contagious disorder: treatment can spread infection to you and other clients.
• Danger sign present: refer the client to a doctor first.

Class practical activity

• The “Spot the Difference” game: the teacher shows photos of skin marks. Students identify which is a normal pimple and which is a danger sign that needs a doctor.
• The script: practise telling a client to see a specialist without making them feel scared or insulted.

Evaluation

1. Give two pieces of advice you would offer a client with acne.
2. Why should a client with eczema apply shea butter or petroleum jelly immediately after a bath?
3. Why should thick oil not be used on heat rash?
4. What causes ringworm, and what must you do if you touch it?
5. List the four danger signs that mean a client must see a doctor.

Assignment

Write a short script of three or four sentences that you would use to tell a client with a fast-spreading rash to see a doctor. Use the referral rule from this lesson.