| Journals Watch
2003 This section features a regularly updated list of recently published articles relevant to nurse prescribing. Abstracts of the papers are included and users are encouraged to submit their views about published papers through the feedback section. Please note: In this section of the website we aim to cover articles on areas where nurses do prescribe. However, not all the treatments or appliances mentioned are prescribable by nurses. For that reason, nurses should check the up-to-date versions of the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary for District Nurses and Health Visitors (NPF) and the Nurse Prescribers’ Extended Formulary (NPEF) and Drug tariff if they are in any doubt. Alternatively contact your Regional Nurse Prescribing Lead for clarification. 2002 Skin care | 2001 Skin care Skin care Rolfe C. Management of psoriasis. Primary
Health Care 2002/2003; 12(10): 43-48. After reviewing the structure and function of the skin,
this article provides a review of psoriasis management, highlighting the
importance of emollient therapy and of supporting people with chronic
conditions in managing them. Nurses should allow enough time for a holistic examination
of the patient, as dry skin conditions can have psychosocial effects.
Treatment plans should ideally be negotiated to suit an individual’s
lifestyle and information given in writing. Burgess IF. Understanding scabies.
Nursing Times 2003; 99(7): 44-45 This article examines the life cycle of the scabies mite and what is known about its transmission and epidemiology. It highlights the substantial proportion of new cases in Britain now found in people aged 65 and over, almost all found in care homes. The author then discusses the diagnosis of scabies, pointing out that it is often difficult or impossible to find burrows on patients, perhaps because levels of personal hygiene mean that burrows are now shorter than they were when many descriptions were written. Positive diagnoses can be made more easily by finding mites or mite products. Thorough treatment of the patient and household or other close contacts is needed. The treatment should be applied over the whole skin surface, with particular attention being paid to the skin under the nails. Treatment should be reapplied to the hands if they are washed during the treatment period. Traditionally, treatment recommendations have excluded the head and neck in most cases, but there have been more reports of scabies spreading above the neck, and some successful reports of treatment being applied over the head. Although the evidence for 5% permethrin is better than for other active ingredients, a single application has not been found to be successful in most cases. The treatment of crusted scabies is also discussed. Website: Nursing
Times Blenkinsopp A et al. Nurse
prescribers: Fungal infections I – Athlete’s foot. Primary Health Care 2003;
13(1): 31-32 Website:
Primary
Healthcare Mead M. A formulary to treat acne.
Practice Nurse 2003; 25(4): 34-36
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