Acne / Dandruff / Seborrhea / Fungal Derm Flashcards
Characteristic etiology of acne?
-Inflammation
-Follicular stickiness increases
-Increased sebum production
-Pyogenes bacterial infection (occasionally)
T or F: Blackheads lead to inflammation.
False… Whiteheads only (which can be inflammatory).
Angie comes to your Pharmacy complaining of Acne. You conduct a full patient interview & determine that she’s also experienced uncontrolled weight gain over the past year, has irregular menstrual cycles, & has experienced very heavy menstrual bleeds. What condition might Angie have?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Predisposing Factors of Acne?
-Hormones (Menstrual Cycle / Pregnancy / Puberty)
-Skin Hydration (Sweating on a hot day)
-Irritation / Occlusion (Masks)
-Cosmetic Products (Makeup)
-Diet (Sugary Diets… More Insulin… More Oils)
-Stress
-Heredity
-Occupational (Fast Food)
What sorts of foods cause Insulin spikes (& thus stimulate Sebaceous Glands to produce more oils)?
-Pasta
-White Rice
-White Bread
-Sugar
What percentage of adult acne cases are continuations from teenage years? Adult-onset cases?
80% continuations
20% Adult-Onset cases (more concerning)
Describe the potential lesion counts of a mild case of Acne.
< 20 comedones
< 15 inflammatory lesions
< 30 total lesions
Provide two less common Acne types (Hint: Both are drug-induced).
1) Topical Steroids… Used for years on end (way too long).
2) Birth Control… Most actually help, but some (in rare instances) can actually induce Acne.
How long does Milia (Baby Acne) take to clear up?
~2 weeks w/o treatment
Provide differential diagnosis factors that differentiate Rosacea from Acne.
i) Patient Age (usually > 30yrs)
ii) No Comedones
iii) Ocular Symptoms (Dry Eyes)
iv) Transient Flushing & Warmth
v) Appearance of Blood Vessels on Skin (Nose Tissues)
What treatment options do we have available for Perioral Dermatitis?
-Removal of suspected causes
-Oral / Topical Antibiotics (Tetracycline has some underlying AI properties to it)
Beneficial face-washing regime for Acne… How many times / day?
BID… Anything over = Overkill. Over-cleaning can actually increase sebum levels on the skin too!
-May need to add medicine to evening & morning cleanser.
What place do Astringents have in the treatment of Acne?
-Not much… They become overkill once a medicine (Benzoyl Peroxide or Oral / Topical Retinoids) is introduced.
Is there therapeutic benefit to using an exfoliating product such as the Buf-Puf for Acne treatment?
-Nope… Normal skin turnover occurs within 30 days, so scraping off top skin layers unnecessary.
What color of Cetaphil product do we recommend as a skin cleansing agent?
Blue… Green = More lice front (moisturizing lotion).
What is a realistic treatment duration for somebody who has long-standing (ie. Chronic) Acne?
2-4yrs
Weak, keratolytic agent used in 0.5 - 2% solutions for Acne treatment?
Salicylic Acid
What OTC products contain Salicylic Acid?
Clean & Clear Foaming Wash / Dual Action Moisturizer
Oxy Wipes / Pads
Clearasil Rapid Action Vanishing Treatment Cream
What two anti-bacterial agents are used in combination in Clearasil Acne Cream?
Sulfur & Resorcinol
i) What OTC product may begin to become a more prevalent player in Acne treatment once proper dosing & strengths are determined?
ii) What is its major action?
i) Topical / Oral Nicotinamide
ii) Anti-Inflammatory properties
Bath & Body Works product that may present some Anti-Bacterial properties (Hint: Minor Acne player)?
Tea Tree Oil
Two major actions of Benzoyl Peroxide?
i) Anti-Bacterial… O2 blast leading to decreases in Pyogenes-caused Acne.
ii) Exfoliant Action… Minor skin surface peeling.
Strengths of BP?
2.5% (OTC)
5% (OTC)
10% (Rx)
S/E’s of BP usage?
-Bleached Clothing
-Skin Burning & Redness
-Dryness
-Peeling
Are Retinoids or BP more photosensitive?
Retinoids (far more)
What BP formulation would be most appropriate for treating a minor case of Acne? For moderate-severe cases?
Minor: BP Soap / Wash
Mod-Severe: Lotions or Gels
BP Gel strengths: Rank the products…
Acetone
Aqueous
Alcohol
1) Acetone
2) Alcohol
3) Aqueous
Why would a BP soap / wash be an unsuitable agent for treating a moderate case of Acne?
Lack of contact time & delayed OOA…
Oily skin & moderate Acne… What BP formulation is best?
BP Gel… More drying effect.
Winter-time Acne accompanied by dryer skin… What BP formulation is best?
BP Lotion… More hydrating in nature.
Sensitive skin… Which BP formulation is best?
Lotion (best on sensitive skin)
If BP isn’t working effectively, what advice should be given (or what path of treatment should be taken instead)?
-DO NOT (!!!) PUT MORE ON! This is NOT standard place advice.
-Ask instead; do I need to switch strengths or formulation instead?
When applying BP products, what sorts of things would patients want to avoid doing whenever possible?
-Avoidance of spot treatment (treat entire face).
-Ramp up usage slowly (to combat potential Contact Dermatitis).
-Utilizing dry skin lotion when needed.
At what point in treatment can BP treatment of Acne be ramped up from OD to BID?
1-2 months (patience required in order to ensure product is working).
In the US, what % BP solutions are considered to be OTC?
Anything < 10% (5 and less in Canada… Rx grade = 10% here).
MOA of Topical Retinoids in Acne treatment?
i) Reduces Follicular Wall stickiness
ii) Increases penetrating abilities of other agents (ie. BP)
What initial Topical Retinoid strengths should be used for the first 2 months of Acne treatment?
0.01 - 0.025% creams
-Progress to 0.025 - 0.05% gels after assessing 2 months in…
One major s/e of Topical Retinoid (ie. Tretinoin) treatment?
Erythema
Two directional usage parameters for Topical Retinoids?
i) Dry skin before applying
ii) Pea-sized amounts (disappear on skin within 1 min)
Why do Topical Retinoids occasionally cause an initial worsening of Acne conditions?
-Increase in cell turnover & pore unclogging combined with the fact that stuff is being brought to the skin surface can result in temporary breakouts.
Least irritating TR?
Adapalene
Most photosensitizing TR?
Tretinoin
Most potent TR?
Tazarotene
Population of people that shouldn’t use TR’s (or, at the very least, utilize with caution)?
Pregnant Women… TR’s = Teratogenic to unborn children.
Is BP safe for treating pregnancy-related acne?
Absolutely
When would a combination BP + Retinoid treatment regime be appropriate?
For cases of mod-severe acne… Simple BP product for mild acne cases.
Jennivere is on a combination therapy of 5% Benzoyl Peroxide cream & 0.1% Tretinoin cream for her Acne. When should these agents be taken?
Day: BP
Night: Tretinoin (due to photosensitive nature of Retinoids & potential BP neutralizing effects)
T or F: Retinoid Gels cannot be administered simultaneously with Benzoyl Peroxide products.
False… They can! BP degrades creams, but NOT micronized Gels.
In which situations would solo BP treatment be appropriate? Solo Retinoid?
BP: Must see pimple formation & inflammation that indicates bacteria are present… Not suitable for treating just whiteheads & blackheads.
Retinoid: Prevention of whitehead / blackhead formation (because of its works at the follicular level).
Two common Antibiotics used for Acne treatment?
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Mild-Mod Acne & I want to use an Antibiotic… Propose two different combination therapy ideas (just suggest two products).
BP & AB
Retinoid & AB
Severe Acne & I want to use an Antibiotic… Propose a combination therapy.
AM: Clindamycin & BP
PM: Tretinoin
Combo product containing Erythromycin & Tretinoin?
Stievamycin Gel (0.05% Tretinoin & 4% Erythromycin)