How much should you pay for treating your skin condition?

Living with a skin condition is not only an uncomfortable, and often painful experience, it can also be devastating to your self-esteem and can even change the way you live your life. You may avoid certain activities such as swimming or stay away from people because you are afraid that they will wrongly think your skin condition is contagious. 

Unfortunately, this leaves people who suffer from skin conditions vulnerable to being cheated into buying ineffective or overpriced treatments, in a bid to live a more ‘normal’ life.

High street chemists are exposed for charging over 25 times more than the actual cost for skin cream

As a perfect example, it was revealed by the Daily Mail recently that certain high street chemists were recently exposed for charging £300 for a skin cream that should have only cost £12. Many patients suffering from these debilitating skin conditions are being denied treatment because of the massive expense of traditional ointments that contain sulphur, dissolved aspirin or coal tar, in aqueous cream (a paraffin oil base used for dry skin).

In a market where swindling the vulnerable appears to be a widespread practice, knowledge is your best defence. Below we will be talking about the skin treatment options available for various skin conditions, and how much you should be expecting to pay for them.

Eczema and psoriasis

Psoriasis and eczema sufferers will do virtually anything to relieve the chronic itching and burning pain that comes with these skin conditions, even if for only a little while. There is a wide range of treatment options available to treat eczema and psoriasis, but the cost of these treatments can vary based on several factors, such as the amount of medicinal ingredient(s) needed. Here, we reveal a few common topical treatments often used to treat psoriasis and eczema.

• Topical Corticosteroids – There is a wide range of topical corticosteroids that can help in minimising the pain, inflammation and itching that comes with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. These can include betamethasone and hydrocortisone. The average pharmacy price for these topical treatments ranges from £7 to £25. Hydrocortisone cream starts at £2.99. In addition, a prescription is needed to receive treatment based on betamethasone.
   
• Non-Steroid Based Creams – Non-steroidal topical medication can help to effectively reduce both the severity and duration of mild to moderate cases of eczema. The average price can range from £2 to  £130. For example, you can pay only £.199 for Aqueous cream and between £6 and £30 for a Salcura product, which is an all-natural and effective treatment.
   
• Mild Cleansers for Eczema-prone Skin - Mild liquid cleansers and soaps can be used on the body and on the face to help eliminate bacteria and dirt without irritating the skin. These can include Spectro Jel and Cetaphil. The average cost of these products can range from £3 to £12.
   
• Other Medications – Medications such as vitamin D analogue topical ointments or creams can be used to slow skin cell growth associated with psoriasis and can be used in conjunction with other topical treatments such as salicylic acid, topical retinoid, and moisturizers. The average cost of these treatments ranges from £5 to £25.

Acne

One of the most common misconceptions about acne is that it is an annoying yet temporary problem that goes away on its own once we pass the teenage years. The truth, however, is that acne can be a maddening, overwhelming and chronic skin condition that people of all ages can suffer from- and in most cases, chronic acne will not go away without proper treatment. Topical retinoid treatments such as Retin-A (made with vitamin A) are a standard treatment option for people who are suffering from mild to severe acne and can be a very effective treatment when used with an over the counter benzoyl peroxide. The average cost for these treatments ranges from £5 to £40.

“Miracle” creams and ointments

There are, of course, the “miracle” creams that we see advertised on TV and online that claim to have astonishing results - but are often no more effective than the traditional over the counter treatments, which can be purchased at your local pharmacy for a fraction of the cost. This is not to say that all of the advertised “miracle” creams out there are ineffective, but it is certainly a buyer beware market. If you want to ensure that you are using a safe and effective product to treat your skin condition, you should talk to your doctor or a skin care specialist that isn’t employed by one of these “miracle” brands beforehand.

In any instance, the most important thing when dealing with a skin condition is to consult a doctor. Our GP is qualified to advise you whether a natural treatment is the right one for you, if medical treatment can have side effects or if they may react with other medicines that you are already taking. We are here for you regardless of your query, so don't hesitate to get in touch.
 

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