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Self-Medication for Dermatologic Diseases among Children Treated at the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical
Insights
Self-medication for pediatric skin diseases is common, with nearly half of children treated this way. Many experienced dissatisfaction and adverse reactions, highlighting risks of incorrect treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Public Health
- Pharmacovigilance
Background:
- Skin diseases are a frequent reason for pediatric outpatient visits.
- Self-medication in children raises concerns regarding misdiagnosis, adverse drug reactions, and treatment costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of self-medication for skin conditions in children.
- To identify characteristics and outcomes associated with self-medication in pediatric dermatology patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study in a Pediatric Outpatient Department.
- Recruitment, interview, and examination of children presenting with new skin problems.
- Data collection on self-medication practices, reasons, medications used, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Eczema (43.7%) was the most common diagnosis among 437 recruited patients.
- 46.7% of children were self-medicated, primarily for convenience.
- Topical corticosteroids were common; 95.1% reported dissatisfaction, and 17.1% experienced adverse reactions.
Conclusions:
- Self-medication is highly prevalent in pediatric skin disease cases.
- A significant proportion of self-medicated children experienced dissatisfaction and adverse reactions.
- Findings underscore the risks associated with self-treatment for pediatric dermatological conditions.
Background:
Skin diseases are one of the common problems in Pediatrics Outpatient Department. Because self-medication is practiced, it raises concerns of incorrect self-diagnosis, adverse drug reactions, and the cost of self-treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the features of self-medicating for skin diseases among children who were observed at the dermatology clinic.
Material And Method:
This prospective study was conducted in the Pediatric Outpatient Department. All patients seen on a first visit for skin problems were recruited, interviewed, and examined.
Results:
Four hundred thirty seven patients were recruited in the study and the mean age was 4.6 years of age. Eczema was the most common diagnosis (43.7%), followed by fungal skin infections (7.1%), insect bites and infestations (6.9%), and bacterial skin infections (6.2%). Of all the patients, 204 (46.7%) had used self-medication. The most common reasons for self-medicating were convenience (82.3%), a friend and/or relative's recommendation (15.2%), and avoiding the cost of doctors' visits (2.0%). The most frequently encountered categories of medicines were topical corticosteroids (25.4%), antifungal agents (13.4%), antibacterial agents (8.2%), and others. Most products were obtained from pharmacies (66.2%). The average cost for self-medications was 204.7 Thai baht. Products applied by the topical route were the most common medications used (81.3%) and most patients had reported dissatisfaction with the results (95.1%). Adverse reactions resulting from self-medications were found to be at a rate of 17.1%. There were no significant relationships (p > 0.05) between the practice of self-medication and the potential factors.
Conclusion:
Self-medication use is most prevalent. Most patients had reported dissatisfaction from the use of self-medications. Adverse reactions resulting from self-medication were also found.
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