Acne and Follicular Disorders Flashcards
What are the 5 disorders under the Acne and Follicular disorders umbrella?
- Acne Vulgaris
- Rosacea
- Perioral Dermatitis
- Folliculitis
- Hidradenitis
Suppurativa
Define Acne Vulgaris
A common disorder that affects the pilosebaceous unit of folliclesand can be characterized by both noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions
What are the epidemiological facts about acne vulgaris?
- 85% of people ages 12-24 yrs old have acne
- 100% pubertal boys
- 90% pubertal girls
- Women develop acne earlier and are more likely to have it in adulthood
- Men suffer severe disease 10x more freq
What are the psych consequences of acne vulgaris?
Emotional distress associated with acne can exacerbate the condition in a positive-reinforcement loop.
Low self-esteem, social phobias and/or depression relatedto acne-associated cosmetic changes can aggravate adolescent-related psychosocial stressors.
Acne may serve as a focus of complaint in patients with primary psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
What are the physical and psych consequences of acne?
Untreated acne vulgaris can have serious physical and psychological consequences
Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Depression and anxiety
Lowered self-esteem
Lowered professional expectations and employability
Social inhibition
Increased risk of suicide or suicidal ideation
What are some reasons for acne treatment failure?
- Suboptimal medication adherence
- Patients unmotivated to adhere to treatment regimens during maintenance phase
- Underlying affective disorders (e.g., depression)
- A multifactorial approach combining non-pharmacologic interventions and effective, well-tolerated, and simplified drug regimens appears to be associated with the greatest success.
What is acne vulgaris caused by?
- Sebum secretion
- Follicular epidermal hyperproliferation and hyperkeratinization
- Proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes
- Inflammation and immune response
What is the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris?
- The primary acne lesion, the microcomedo, is caused by the obstruction of the sebaceous follicle and is the result of follicular epidermal hyperproliferation and hyperkeratinization.
- This obstruction occurs when an androgen-induced overproduction of sebum combines with follicular hyperkeratosis and keratotic debris.
- Microcomedones may progress to either “open” or “closed” comedones, which create an environment suitable for Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) growth.
- Proliferation of P. acnes converts sebum to free fatty acids, which produce pro-inflammatory mediators that diffuse through the follicle wall – leading to the development of inflammatory acne lesions.
Where is acne vulgaris most proliferative?
Acne affects the areas of the body with the densest population of
sebaceous follicles:
face, neck, back, chest, & shoulders
What are the inflammatory forms of acne vulgaris?
- Papular/Pustular
2. Nodular/Cystic
What are the non-inflammatory forms of acne vulgaris?
Comedonal
What is acne graded by?
Lesion counts
What is mild acne?
Comedones and a few scattered papules and/or pustules
What is moderate acne?
Comedones with many papules and pustules, few nodules
What is severe acne?
Numerous papules, pustules, and nodules
What lesions are present in non-inflammatory acne vulgaris?
- Open blackhead comedomes
2. Closed whitehead comedomes
What are the topical retinoid/comedolytic treatment options for mild comedomal acne?
- Differin – Mildest, Synthetic that can be used with BPO’s
- Retin A – Comes in less irritating microgel vehicle
- Tazorac – Strongest, more irritant rxn’s, very few pts can tolerate it
- Azelex Acid – Antibx & Comedolytic, Hypopigments: good to reduce hyperpigmentation in darker skinned pts after acne clears
- Hydroxy Acids – Alpha’s (Glycolic/Lactic Acids) or Beta’s (Salicytic Acid)
What are the benzoyl peroxide treatment options for mild comedomal acne?
Gels/washes qd to BID
What are the benzoyl peroxide treatment for mild comedomal acne used in combo with?
Used in combo with topical antibx – no resistance to BPO’s - Duac
What are the topical abx treatment options for mild comedomal acne?
- Topical Antibiotics QD to BID
A. Erythromycin – older, more resistance has been seen
B. Clindamycin or Sulfer products a better choice
-Exert a bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect on P. acnes, depending on the concentration of the drug at the site of infection
What are the characteristics of papular inflammatory acne?
Inflamed lesions (less than 0.5 cm in diameter) that appear as small, pink to red bumps on the skin Can be tender to the touch
What are the characteristics of pustular inflammatory acne?
Dome-shaped lesions containing pus (a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells and bacteria)
These lesions are fragile and may rupture
may progress to cysts
What are the treatment options for moderate acne?
- Topical Retinoid Therapy QHS
- Benzoyl Peroxide Products (gels/washes) QD to BID
- Topical Antibiotics QD to BID
- Systemic Antibiotics (taper once improved)
- Antiandrogenic (Hormonal) Therapy if Female
What are the topical abx options for moderate acne?
- Drug of Choice: Clindamycin (used >20 yrs, Effective and well-tolerated)
A. Available in gel, solution, lotion, &pledget forms Now available in a foam
B. This antibx is able to modulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines - Combination products ideal (Duac) - Simplifies Tx plan and Improves compliance
What are the systemic abx options for moderate acne?
- Tetracycline 250-500mg BID (photosens, not for Preg, GI)
- Doxycyline 100mg BID (photosens, not for Preg, GI)
- Minocycline 100mg BID (photosens, not for Preg, GI, Vertigo, Grey)
- Erythromycin 250-500mg BID (safe in Preg, GI upset, drug interactions)
- Septra DS BID (if all else fails, many side effects - allergic rashes and SJS)
What are the anti androgen options for moderate acne?
- OCP’s – Yasmin, OrthoTricyclen, Estrostep (low androgenic progestin’s)
- Spironolactone – Old K+ sparing