Acne Flashcards
What is critical in each case of acne?
simple skin care
handling patient expectations
Amongst those who seek advice for acne, what is the % for pharmacists compared to MDs?
10% seek a pharmacist
90% seek an MD
What is the etiology for acne?
follicular changes (follicular wall becomes sticky, stuff plugs up)
increased sebum (due to puberty)
P. acnes (bacteria)
inflammation (redness and zits are inflammatory processes)
What is the difference between a blackhead and a whitehead?
blackhead:
-open comedo
-does not lead to more acne/inflammation
-mainly a cosmetic issue
whitehead:
-closed comedo
-due to sticky follicular wall
-can become worse
What are predisposing factors for acne?
puberty for boys and girls
pre-menstrual flares (acne especially on the jawline)
skin hydration (sweat clogs pores)
cosmetics
irritation and occlusion
dietary aspects
stress
occupation
hereditary
What are some of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? What should you do?
acne, hair loss, male pattern baldness
refer
What is PCOS?
hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries, small cysts may form on the outer edges, can affect fertility
True or false: acne is common during pregnancy
true
more than one out of every two pregnant women can develop acne
How does diet contribute to acne?
diet high in sugar–>more insulin–>more oils
How does stress contribute to acne?
stress induces body steroid levels to rise–>stimulates more sebum production
What kind of jobs are more prone to acne?
fast-food workers (“McDonalds acne”)
Which type of adult acne are we not involved in?
adult-onset cases should be immediate referral
Where are some typical locations for acne to appear?
face
neck
chest
upper back
upper arms
Which acne lesions tend to be inflammatory?
papules
pustules
nodules
cysts
What is the definition of mild acne?
<20 comedones or <15 inflammatory lesions or <30 total lesions
True or false: pharmacists only deal with moderate acne
false
pharmacists only deal with mild acne
Which drugs can cause drug-induced acne?
topical steroids (improper use)
some birth control pills (most are helpful)
What % of adult acne cases are continuing from teenage years? What about adult onset cases?
80% are cases that continue from teenage years
20% are adult-onset cases
What is milia?
“baby acne”
not true acne
appears in the first few days of life and disappears in a few weeks without any treatment
What is rosacea?
a skin condition that affects the central face
no comedones
there can be ocular symptoms
transient flushing and warmth
blood vessels appear on skin
comes and goes
What triggers rosacea?
nobody really knows the exact cause
Which group of people are typically affected by rosacea?
usually people older than 30
rarely in kids
What is the treatment for rosacea?
topical agents
Are there any products in the OTC aisle to help with rosacea?
no
refer if you think the patient has rosacea
What is perioral dermatitis? What does it look like?
it is a facial rash that tends to occur around the mouth
appears red and slightly scaly or bumping, burning or itching is mild
NO BLACKHEADS
What is the treatment for perioral dermatitis?
oral/topical antibiotics
MD care
What are the non-medical measures for acne treatment?
basic skin care:
-washing face BID
-do not scrub
-minimize picking
eczema grade soaps
no need for astringents
acne cleansing pads are fine
True or false: over cleaning can increase sebum levels on the skin
true
BID washing is fine
What are the cornerstones of acne therapy?
BP and/or retinoids
How long should an acne patient expect to undergo therapy?
2-4 years
If parents had acne, then what could be a good move for their kid?
start treatment early to prevent mild acne from getting moderate or severe
How does salicylic acid work?
keratolytic
-dries out oils on the face
-reduces plugging on the surface
What strengths does salicylic acid typically come in?
0.5% or 2%
What is the active ingredient in oxy wipes?
salicylic acid
What is the main reason that salicylic acid is added to products?
allows the manufacturer to advertise their product as medicated
Other than our cornerstone acne treatments, what are some other therapies?
sulfur (antibacterial)
resorcinol (exfoliant, antibacterial)
tea tree oil (antibacterial)
topical nicotinamide (might be doing something)