Medical check-up & acne

[ai_ya]

Hi, I was just wondering if anybody has a similar experience, or what to do in this situation.

Basically, I have pretty severe acne [face, chest, back, shoulders] & I'm currently on accutane [the strongest acne medication out there], last year when I went to China on a student-visa, I had the usual medical checkup, although it was problematic.

Basically, the woman who was supposed to be a nurse obviously had NO idea about illnesses etc, and she thought my acne was some horrible contagious disease, so then she asked me lots of questions, made me show it to other 'doctors', which is VERY humiliating as I already feel bad enough about it, and basically said 'ok we believe you' somewhat sceptically.

She then told me to 'exercise more' and 'don't eat spicy food' both of which have BEEN PROVEN to have no relation whatsoever to acne. My main point is, I am planning to return to China probably next year and I do not want to be sent back because of a stupid nurse who does not understand what acne is [even if it is a lot more severe than others]!!

Does anybody know how I can 'prove' it's not some horrible disease?!

Overall, the experience was very humiliating and is making me reconsider going back - especially if accutane does not clear it up [also how widely available is accutane in China?]

Thanks.

[dalaowai]

Get your family doctor to print out a report detailing your condition and have it translated and notarized in Mandarin. Provide it when you go for your medical check if they question you.

[mpallard]

That nurse's advice is hilarious. And they wonder why Chinese degrees aren't recognized anywhere.

[BrandeX]

Chinese "doctors" have 5 year duration bachelor degrees, according to one former doctor I was tutoring.

[simonlaing]

I feel for your situation.

I think having a translated letter or other chinese doctor friend to come and explain could help

But It could be one of those things that you have to do over again.

It is highly possible even with this they will still ask other doctors come in to inspect it.

I was traveling with a vegan friend and it was difficult trying to order dishes with absolutely no meat. Trying to order Yu xiang qiezi.

We tried saying he's allergic to it. Can't eat it?

half the time it worked.

And it just had to do it every time we ate out.

Good luck,

SImon:)

[Scoobyqueen]

I think the treatment (by the nurse and medical staff) you got was out of order. It makes you wonder how they must treat their own people with such conditions. I dont think it is anything to do with you being a foreigner. Also, how unfair you might have to go through additional expenses (official translation etc.)

I have often seen Chinese people with an acne complexion and actually had wondered why it appeared to be more common in China (but perhaps the people there dont seek treatment for the reasons you just stated here). Sorry couldnt resist this cynical comment in the light of your experience.

Good luck.

[imron]

I think the treatment (by the nurse and medical staff) you got was out of order. It makes you wonder how they must treat their own people with such conditions.

Actually, it sounds pretty much like a typical visit to a Chinese hospital. Just be thankful the door wasn't open with all the other waiting people looking in out of curiousity (yes it happens!)

Anyway, while a translated notice might help the process go more quickly, I'm sorry to say it probably isn't going to stop them pointing out your condition, calling over their other colleagues, and discussing it (not to mention offering well-intentioned but not altogether useful advice).

In general (I know, I know generalisations are bad) Chinese people seem to be far more direct in pointing out the physical condition of a person (just ask anyone even mildly overweight how often they get told how fat they are). Actually, I've known quite a few foreigners who found living in such an environment kind of liberating in a way, as it helped them become less self-concious about themselves.

[liuzhou]

Chinese "doctors" have 5 year duration bachelor degrees, according to one former doctor I was tutoring.

Yes, but they spend much of that time learning Deng Xiaoping Theory etc. And the importance of having a little prick everytime you sneeze.

My experience with Chinese hospitals

[renzhe]

How common are acne in China? I haven't noticed it much while there.

I know that many Chinese people develop acne when they come over to Europe because of different food, but I thought it was less common over there.

[BrandeX]

Really? I invented a saying since coming here: "Not for all the zits in China." IMO it seems like nearly 2/3 of the people have mild to moderate acne here.

[simonlaing]

Nice Blog Post Liuzhou,

I haven't been layed up in a hospital in China but I can relate to many of your experiences.

Good to hear you're doing better.

have fun,

SImoN:)

[ai_ya]

Yeah, I was just going to say I actually noticed more acne in China than over here, also quite a lot of women in their 30's and 40's seem to have it? Also, contrary to popular belief, it's not related to diet [so don't worry about eating those spicy foods]!

[A life of study]

As ever in China, things can go two ways. You could get a doctor/nurse who wanted to show how high his "suzhi" is, and will treat foreigners with (undeserved) extra-special respect. (no one is asking for special respect; only for everyone to be treated with respect.) But it is by no means uncommon for these physical exam nurses to go all out to make the process as humiliating as possible. And you will never know in advance which treatment you will get. I am having trouble walking at the moment owing to something wrong with my ankle, and the number of Chinese people pointing at my ankle and saying "there's something wrong with your foot" is incredible. I feel like saying "why do you feel the need to tell me the bl - - dy obvious? Do I need your rude commentary?". In the end the easiest thing is not to look passers-by in the face in the street and so become oblivious of the nearly universal rude stares etc. No I don't find it makes me less self-conscious; just much, much, much more self-conscious. I have asked my friends, "isn't staring, jeering and shouting out comments considered rude in China?" The answer is, yes it is.... So why are they doing it? I can't bear trips to the hospital, with every one surging into lifts when they arrive - and the poor man with crutches at the back can't get out. I can't explain it. If you know in advance that this type of behaviour is very likely, maybe it can help you to adjust your expectations and thus cope with it? It doesn't work for me, but may do so for you!

[Rincewind]

I've noticed acne on some of my students. Some allot more than others. It seems to be a later thing in China than in the UK. Back home, kids get acne at about 13 or 14 and it goes away, by and large, by 18 or 19. However, here it seems quite common on 19 and 20 year olds. There does seem to be a difference in appearance between acne on different people. In China it has a blue/purple colour where as on Caucasians it's more yellow and red.

I had my own medical check up on Thursday. Cost 289 yuan and I got the results on Friday. No problems found. I didn't have to take of my shirt for the test. I just rolled up my T-shirt for the ECG, thus exposing no more skin to scrutiny than need be.