Acne and Roascea Flashcards
What is acne vulgaris?
Chronic disorder affecting the hair follicle and sebaceous gland, characterized by expansion and blockage of the follicle and inflammation
Acne vulgaris primarily affects adolescents but can persist into adulthood.
What is the epidemiology of acne?
Almost all adolescents in western countries develop acne; prevalence decreases with age
Factors affecting acne prevalence include genetic, ethnic, dietary, and lifestyle factors.
What genetic factors are associated with acne?
Family history of severe acne
Genetic predisposition can play a significant role in the severity of acne.
Which ethnic factors influence acne severity?
Different ethnic groups are associated with varying acne severity
Ethnic background can affect the prevalence and severity of acne.
What dietary factor is positively correlated with acne prevalence?
High glycaemic index diet
Foods that raise blood glucose levels quickly are linked to increased acne.
How does high glycemic index food affect gut microbiota?
Changes gut microbiota composition and increases gut permeability
This allows more gut microbiota and metabolites to enter the bloodstream, affecting skin conditions.
What is the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and acne?
A BMI of 25 or more is associated with acne
Higher BMI may contribute to the development of acne.
How might smoking be related to acne?
Smoking could be associated with acne due to increased inflammation
Smoking may exacerbate inflammatory responses in the skin.
What is the target organ in the pathophysiology of acne?
The pilosebaceous unit (hair, sebaceous gland, pore/follicle)
This unit is crucial in the development of acne lesions.
What occurs during abnormal keratinocyte proliferation in pilosebaceous follicles?
Formation of microcomedones and comedones
These are the precursors to visible acne lesions.
What are microcomedones?
Minor follicle plugs that form from sebum and debris, not visible to the naked eye
They are the initial lesions in acne development.
What triggers the visibility of microcomedones?
Increased sebum production due to circulating androgens during puberty
This excess sebum can lead to the formation of whiteheads and blackheads.
What is Cutibacterium acnes?
A bacteria species of the natural flora within pilosebaceous units, thriving in keratin and sebum-rich environments
This bacterium plays a role in the inflammatory process of acne.
What does the rupture of the comedone wall trigger?
A proinflammatory cascade in the pilosebaceous unit
This process leads to the formation of nodules, cysts, and scarring.
Fill in the blank: The formation of _______ is a result of excess sebum behind a microcomedo.
open comedone (whitehead) or closed comedone (blackhead)
These are visible forms of acne lesions.
How is acne clinically classified?
Acne is classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
What characterizes mild acne?
Mild acne is predominantly comedonal acne with a small amount of inflammatory acne.
What is comedonal acne?
Comedonal acne includes open comedones (blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads).
What are open comedones?
Open comedones are clogged pores that are open, allowing oxidation and darkening.
What are closed comedones?
Closed comedones are clogged pores that produce a white bump.
What characterizes moderate acne?
Moderate acne is predominantly severe and widespread inflammatory acne with any number of comedones.
What is the presentation of inflammatory acne?
Inflammatory acne presents as papules (5 mm or less) and pustules, along with atrophic scars.
What characterizes severe acne?
Severe acne is predominantly widespread nodulocystic acne with scarring and any number of comedones.
